Wichita, Kan. - Friends baseball welcomed Hastings College for a four-game set at Westside Athletic Field this weekend. Friday (Feb. 27) featured two seven-inning doubleheaders in which the Falcons ultimately lost both.

Game 1

Friends took a 3-1 lead in the third inning. Miles Hartman reached on an error, and Elijah Morales was hit by a pitch, setting the stage for Hudson Sharp's double to left field, driving in two runs. Bernie Socarras followed up with a walk, and an error allowed Sharp to score. Friends would lead 3-1 after 3 innings.

Hastings tied the game in the fifth inning with two runs of their own. In the sixth inning, both teams added a run. Hastings took the lead with an unearned run. Friends responded with Bernie Socarras scoring on a groundout by Noah Gagol tying the game 4-4 after 6 innings.

This game would go to extras and in the eighth inning Hastings exploded for five runs, taking a commanding 9-4 lead. Friends managed two runs in response, with Camden Miller's 2 RBI single, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit. The Broncos would take the first game winning 9-6.

Game 2

In game two the Falcons looked to bounce back after a rough extra innings loss. Friends managed to score in the first inning, Bernie Socarras tripled to right field, and Hudson Sharp delivered an RBI single to score Socarras. Friends led 1-0 after the first inning.

The fifth inning proved pivotal for Hastings College, the Broncos offense drove in 5 total runs in the 5th inning. Hastings would bring themselves ahead 5-1 through five innings.

Friends tried to respond in the 7th inning when Miles Hartman scored on an RBI groundout by Hudson Sharp, but Hastings maintained its lead, closing the game with a 6-2 victory over Friends.

The Falcons starters today were Raleigh Clark and Hoyt Roff. Clark pitched in game one having 4 1/3 innings, allowing 3 earned runs on 6 hits while striking out 5 batters and walking none. Roff in game two pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing five earned runs on six hits while striking out five and issuing one walk. Roff managed to throw 52 strikes out of 80 pitches. Both pitchers kept the ball in the zone, but the Broncos hitting was timely and effective for both games.

Falcons will look to even the series out tomorrow against Hastings. Another doubleheader will take place at Westside Athletic Field Saturday afternoon (Feb. 28).