Great Bend, Kan. – The Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles scored seven unanswered runs to win 7-5 over the Friends University Falcons in a KCAC tournament elimination game for the Falcons today (May 4) at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kan. Earlier today, the Falcons had defeated Tabor College 12-4 to stay alive in the tourney.
Niquan Benjamin was involved in the Falcons taking an early lead, singling in Buster Hardman and then advaning to third when Zeke Henson scored on a balk in the third to make it 2-0.
Carlos Rodriguez then doubled home a pair of runs in the fourth and Ryan Sylvester scored on an error to provide the Falcons with a 5-0 cushion.
The Falcons were able to grab the early edge behind a solid start from Austin Neeley, who held the Eagles hitless for the first six innings before running into trouble in the seventh frame.
OKWU tallied five runs in a variety of ways in the seventh to tie the score, benefitting from three hits, a walk, an error and consecutive hit by pitches.
The score remained in a 5-5 gridlock until a two-run double by Javier Marcial provided the game-winning runs for the Eagles.
The Falcons outhit the Eagles 11-5, with Rodriguez wrapping up his first season at Friends in style, going 4-of-5 with a pair RBIs. Niquan Benjamin was also 2-of-5 with one run driven in.
Neeley gave up just one hit with five strikeouts, three walks and two earned runs allowed in six plus innings.
Matthew Benton pitched an inning and gave up two unearned runs with a pair of strikeouts, while Vincent Vigil tossed a scoreless eighth inning before surrendering the two runs in the ninth frame.
The game-winning double was Marcial's team-leading second hit of the day for the Eagles. Tyler Benefiel struck out two in two scoreless innings to get the win.
Friends ends the 2024 season at 30-23 overall, the program's second 30 win season in the last three years. OKWU is now 34-18 and advances to tomorrow's KCAC championship game against the winner of tonight's matchup between McPherson College and Kansas Wesleyan University, with game time tomorrow TBA.
