Wichita, Kan. - Friends University baseball returned home Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 17) after a weekend series against Ottawa. Friends hosted Mid-America Christian University in a non-conference contest at Westside Athletic Field.

The Evangels took an early lead in this 9-inning bout with runs in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th inning. Evangels took a commanding 5-0 lead while no-hitting the Falcons through the first 5 innings. The Falcons got their first hit in the bottom of the 6th, Lyonel Barthelemy jolted the Falcons offense with an infield single and advanced to third on an errant throw.

Small ball has been the Falcons offensive identity this season and they used this strategy to grab their first run of the game by a wild pitch. Barthelemy would score to put the Falcons on the board. Elijah Morales would follow with an RBI single scoring Miles Hartman to bring the score 5-2.

Hudson Sharp would have an RBI single for himself to bring Friends right back into the ballgame making it 5-3. The Falcons offense in the 6th inning made up for the poor hitting in the first 5 innings.

The Falcons defense kept them in this game as well. Camden Miller made a miraculous catch at 2nd base and then doubled up the MACU runner at home to lessen the Evangels rally late in the 7th. 

The Falcons pitching staff went through 9 different pitchers this game. The MACU offense put up a total of 18 hits but could only accumulate 6 runs due to the stingy Falcons defense. Ultimately the Falcons couldn't get the job done against the No. 19 ranked Evangels, losing 6-3. 

The Falcons will turn to conference play again this weekend with a 3 game series over in York, Neb.. With Friends dropping their last 5 games now, they look to turn the page and get some wins against the Panthers. Friday (Feb. 20) will be a solo 9 inning game and Saturday (Feb. 21) will feature a doubleheader.