WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons swept the Evangel University Valor by scores of 11-5 and 4-1 in KCAC action today (Mar. 11) at Westside Athletic Field to stretch their winning streak to five games.

The Falcons opened the first game scoring with a run in the second inning before an RBI single by Bernie Socarras and a two-run homer by Zeke Henson expanded the lead.

An RBI double by Clay Palen and a run-scoring single from Rhett Hayward helped the Valor score four in the fifth to cut the Falcon lead in half, but Carlos Rodriguez launched a three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to effectively put it away.

Matthew Benton started for the Falcons and was effective, blanking the Valor on three hits with two strikeouts.

Gonzolo Armas pitched 1.2 shutout innings to be credited with the win, with Vincent Vigil going three innings with one run allowed and striking out two to earn the save.

Rodriguez finished the opening game 3-of-5 at the plate, while Socarras, Isaias Urriola and Bryson Rigsby each had two hits.

The nightcap saw the Valor (7-16, 3-11 KCAC) jump ahead early with a run in the first inning, but the Falcons got all the runs they needed with a four-run fifth frame when Spencer Davidson scored on a balk and Dominic Arellano crossed the plate on an error.

Henson then capped the decisive inning with a two-run triple that plated Socarras and Niquan Benjamin.

That was all the run support Max Van Dam would need, who earned his first career victory with six strong innings and only one unearned run allowed with two strikeouts.  Chance Baker then pitched a scoreless seventh inning and struck out two to pick up the save.

The five-game winning streak has moved the Falcons to 11-12 overall and 6-7 in the KCAC.

The Falcons will now hit the road and play a three-game series at Bethany College, starting with a single game Friday afternoon (Mar. 14) at 1 pm in Lindsborg, Kan.