WICHITA, Kan. – Carlos Rodriguez slugged two homers and Bernie Socarras hit four doubles to power the Friends University Falcons to a 17-7 victory over the Southwestern College Moundbuilders in the opening game of a three-game series today (Mar. 7) at Westside Athletic Field.

It was 1-1 in the second when a two-out double by Dominic Arellano ignited a six-run rally.

After Arrellano scored the go-ahead run on a single by Bryson Rigsby, a three-run homer by Zeke Henson and a solo blast from Carlos Rodriguez capped the frame and put the Falcons in command up 7-1.

The Falcons followed up the second inning with a mirror image third frame, again scoring six times behind a three-run homer by Rodriguez and an RBI double from Socarras.

Southwestern got back on the board with a three-run homer by Luca Dincola in the top of the fourth, only to have that matched by a three-run double by Socarras in the bottom of the inning.

Following a two-run homer by JJ Cardinal in the fifth that made the score 16-7, the score remained the same until Rigsby was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh to provide the Falcons with the run-rule victory.

Rodriguez finished with five RBIs and Socarras was a perfect 4-of-4 at the plate with three runs scored for the Falcons (7-12, 2-7 KCAC). Arellano, Rigsby and Spencer Davidson each had two hits and Miles Hartman scored three runs.

Cameron Chase lasted four innings, striking out four and giving up seven runs to be credited with the win. Matthew Benton then pitched three scoreless innings to earn the save.

Cardinal went 2-of-3 and drove in three runs for the Builders (3-9, 1-6 KCAC).

The Falcons and Builders will play a twinbill starting at noon tomorrow (Mar. 8) to wrap up the weekend series.