OKLAHOMA CITY – The Friends University Falcons avenged an earlier season loss at No. 18-ranked Mid-America Christian University in a big way by exploding for 28 runs in a 28-15 win in non-conference action today (Mar. 25) in Oklahoma City. It's just one run shy of the single-game record, set in 2007 at Manhattan Christian College.
Leading the charge offensively was Zeke Henson and Nijai Armbrister, who each drove in eight runs for the most single-game RBIs for Friends since 2022.
Henson hit a two-run homer in the first inning to get the Falcons started and then singled home two runs in the second following a two-run blast by Spencer Davidson that helped the Falcons take charge with a 7-0 lead in the second inning.
The Falcons never trailed, but had to fend off the Evangels multiple times, starting when two-run homers by both Jonluke Hobdy and Brett Justice along with a solo home run from Giodany Mendoza fueled a six-run bottom of the second and made it a one-run game.
Friends had a big response and then some in the next frame, loading the bases that led to walks to Bernie Socarras, Henson and Carlos Rodriguez plating three runs.
Isaias Urriola and Tyler Godfrey then each singled in a run before Armbrister cleared the bases with a grand slam.
For good measure, Henson drew his second bases-loaded walk of the inning to cap off a 10-run outburst for the Falcons.
The Evangels continued to stay within shouting distance by using the long ball, hitting six home runs over the next three innings, including two homers apiece from D'Andre Gaines and Christopher Munoz that made the score 18-14.
But there was plenty of offense left for the Falcons (17-14) to close the deal, as Armbrister got back into the power act with a two-run homer and then a two-run double in the sixth to power the Falcons' second 10-run inning of the game.
Henson and Urriola also singled home two runs in the sixth while Davidson put an exclamation point on the inning and the game with his second two-run homer of the day.
Every Falcon starting position player had multiple hits, led by a 5-of-5 effort by Henson. Urriola, Armbrister and Davidson each had four hits, while Rodriguez, Godfrey and Miles Hartman had three hits and one RBI apiece. Niquan Benjamin and Socarras each produced two hits from the top of the order to contribute to the 30-hit attack.
Gaines led the Evangels (25-9) with three hits and four RBIs.
Jackson Walls pitched two innings and gave up three runs to be credited with the win, with Matthew Benton tossing the final three frames and allowing two runs with a pair of strikeouts to earn the save.
The Falcons will next resume KCAC action with a three-game weekend series at Sterling College, starting with a single game Friday (Mar. 28) at 3 pm in Sterling, Kan.
