Joplin, Mo. – After falling yesterday to Kansas Wesleyan University thanks in large part to a pair of three-run homers, the seventh-seeded Friends University Falcons turned the tide today (May 2) and launched five home runs of their own in a 11-2 rout of the third-seeded Ottawa University Braves to extend their season at Joe Becker Stadium in Joplin, Mo. The Falcons will next play another elimination game tomorrow morning at 9 am vs. McPherson College.

Trailing 1-0 in the third, the Falcons got to work as Bernie Socarras launched the first of his two homers on the day, starting with a three-run blast in the bottom of the third to put Friends in front to stay.

The Falcons weren't done in the inning and got the first career home run from Isaias Urriola to make it 4-1.

After the Braves (38-14) trimmed the lead to 4-2 in the seventh, the Falcons (28-22) again had a swift response in the next half inning when Carlos Rodriguez hit a three-run blast. Nijai Armbrister followed that with a two-run homer later in the frame and Socarras finished the Falcons' version of a home run derby with his second home run in the bottom of the eighth.

Niquan Benjamin also had two hits and Miles Hartman scored a pair of runs.

Cameron Chase turned in a solid start in a must-win game for the Falcons, lasting six innings with one run allowed along with three strikeouts and three walks. The trio of Chance Baker, Vincent Vigil and Miles Stringer then closed out the victory for Friends.

The Falcons dropped two of three at McPherson in the final regular season series, but won the final game 6-4.

KCAC Baseball Tournament Bracket