Salina, Kan. – The No. 12-ranked Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes scored four unanswered runs to slip past the Friends University Falcons 9-7 in the weekend series opener today (Feb. 28) in Salina, Kan.

Trailing 7-6 with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Fernando Ruvalcaba singled in two of his four RBIs on the day to put KWU back in front. A bunt single by Carter Allen then gave the Coyotes an insurance tally.

That's all KWU needed as Hunter Blea closed out the game with a scoreless ninth.

Before the Coyotes' late inning surge, the Falcons had a strong rally of their own from 5-0 down on a two-run homer by Nijai Armbrister and a two-run blast by Bernie Socarras in the seventh.

Socarras wasn't through and delivered a go-ahead two-run double in the eighth for Friends.

The Coyotes had taken the early lead on a two-run homer by Ruvalcaba and RBI doubles from Jacob Williamson and Tyler Favretto.

Spencer Davidson had three hits for the Falcons (6-9, 1-5 KCAC), with Socarras, Armbrister and Isaias Urriola each producing a pair of hits.

Ruvalcaba went 3-of-3 for KWU (10-8, 5-2 KCAC).

The Falcons and Coyotes will wrap up the series with a 1 pm doubleheader tomorrow (Mar. 1).