KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Friends University Falcons came up on the short end of two one-run games at Avila University, 7-6 and then 2-1 today (Mar. 23) in Kansas City, Mo.
The sixth inning was the difference in the opening tilt, with the Eagles getting a two-run single from Gio Armas and then the big blast, a go-ahead three-run homer by Zach Dillman.
The Falcons had chances, but left two on in the seventh and then stranded the tying run on base in the ninth.
Avila led 1-0 until Zeke Henson hit his team-leading eighth home run of the season, a three-run shot in the fourth.
An RBI single by Tyler Godfrey in the fifth and then a sacrifice fly from Sam Engberg in the sixth helped the Falcons go up 6-2.
Buster Hardman had three hits for the Falcons in the opening tilt and Caleb Coats went 2-of-5 from the leadoff spot.
Francisco Moscoso started and went 5.2 innings, allowing two earned runs with three strikeouts and seven walks. Matthew Benton followed Moscoso and pitched 2.1 shutout innings and struck out four.
The Eagles got three RBIs from Armas and three hits by Ricky Dober. Corbin Hamman came on in relief and pitched three shutout innings to get the win, while Logan Empson threw a shutout ninth inning to pick up the save.
In the nightcap, the Falcon scored their only run of the game on a ground-rule double by Henson that plated pinch runner Ryan Sylvester in the first inning.
Landon Vahle homered for Avila in the bottom of the first to tie the score and then an RBI groundout by Diego Solis in the bottom of the second proved to be the game-winner.
That one-run lead stood up for the Eagles thanks to Alex Walton, who retired 18 of the final 20 hitters he faced. Walton struck out six overall and walked just one in his seven innings on the mound.
Brett Black was also solid for the Falcons, giving up two runs with four strikeouts and no walks over six innings.
Niquan Benjamin had two hits for Friends (22-11, 13-8 KCAC) in the second game, with JJ Stubblefield also recording two hits for the Eagles (15-16, 11-8 KCAC).
The Falcons will next host a three-game series vs. Sterling College next weekend starting with a single game Friday afternoon (Mar. 29) at 3 pm at West Side Athletic Field.
