WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons' ninth inning rally fell a bit short as the York University Panthers won the series opener 3-1 today (Apr. 3) at Westside Athletic Field.

After being shutout for eight innings, the Falcons mounted a threat in the ninth frame and loaded the bases that led to Niquan Benjamin drawing an RBI walk to shave a 3-0 deficit down to two runs.

But Ian Heck got his second strikeout looking of the inning to strand the tying runs in scoring position and earn the save for the Panthers.

James McCown was effective on the mound for York, tossing seven shutout frames with just three hits allowed, three strikeouts and two walks.

An RBI single by Austin Grant in the second and a two-run single from Nicholas DeMonte in the fourth were all the runs the Panthers needed.

Isaias Urriola and Tyler Godfrey each had a pair of hits for Friends, while Max Van Dam blanked the Panthers for 4.2 innings in relief of starter Cameron Chase with three strikeouts. Matthew Benton then struck out one batter in a scoreless ninth frame for the Falcons (20-16, 14-11 KCAC).

Heck and Grant each had two hits for the Panthers (15-16, 12-10 KCAC).

Due to rain and cold temperatures in the area this weekend, Friends and York will conclude the three-game series with a doubleheader Sunday (Apr. 6) at noon.