Bartlesville, Okla. - Friends baseball looked to sweep a doubleheader against (RV) Oklahoma Wesleyan University, to take the weekend series on Saturday (Mar. 14).

Friends University fell to (RV) Oklahoma Wesleyan University 17-16 in a high-scoring showdown in game one. Friends tallied 21 hits and seven doubles, yet the Eagles' seven home runs proved decisive in the narrow victory. In game two Friends secured a 9-5 victory over Oklahoma Wesleyan in a seven inning affair. The Falcons capitalized on two home runs and eight walks to outscore their opponent.


Game 1

Friends opened the game with a strong start, scoring three runs in the first inning. Camden Miller singled and Bernie Socarras doubled to set up Elijah Morales, who doubled to right center, driving in Miller and Socarras. Morales then scored on consecutive errors. Friends led 3-0 after the first inning.

In the second inning, Friends added one more run. Noah Gagol singled and advanced to third on Xavier Champ's double. Miles Hartman followed with a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Gagol. The Eagles responded with four runs, including a two-run homer by Joseph Gutierrez, tying the game at 4-4 by the end of the inning.

Friends regained the lead in the third inning. Socarras singled and later scored on Hudson Sharp's double, making it 5-4. Oklahoma Wesleyan was held scoreless in their half of the inning.

The Eagles took control in the fourth inning, scoring four runs. Wally Diaz hit a three-run homer, followed by a solo shot from JT Maloney, giving Oklahoma Wesleyan an 8-5 lead.

Friends scored once in the fifth inning when Sharp doubled and later scored on a passed ball. However, the Eagles added four more runs, extending their lead to 12-6 through five innings.

In the seventh inning, Friends rallied for two runs. Miller walked, and Morales was hit by a pitch. Holden Sabor's groundout and Gagol's single drove in the runs, bringing the score to 12-8.

The eighth inning saw Friends mount another comeback attempt. Champ walked, and Hartman singled, followed by a double from Miller, scoring Champ. Socarras doubled to bring home two more runs, while Gagol's single added another, narrowing the gap to 14-12. The Eagles added two runs, making it 14-12.

In the ninth inning, Friends surged ahead with a four-run inning. Socarras hit a grand slam after Champ was hit by a pitch, Hartman singled, and Miller walked. Oklahoma Wesleyan responded with three runs in their half, including a walk-off two-run homer by Daurys Manzanillo, ultimately securing a 17-16 victory.

Socarras had an impressive performance, recording four hits, including two doubles and a home run, while driving in six runs. Miller scored four runs and added a double, contributing with two hits and two walks. Sharp collected four hits with two doubles, driving in one run and scoring once. Hartman contributed with three hits, scoring twice and driving in a run.

Game 2

Friends opened the game with a strong first inning. Miles Hartman singled to center field, advanced to second on Camden Miller's sacrifice, and scored on Bernie Socarras' double. Socarras then advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on Elijah Morales' single, giving Friends a 2–0 lead after the first inning.

The second inning saw Friends extend their lead significantly. Colton Flores walked and advanced on a sacrifice by Holden Sabor. After Noah Gagol walked, Xavier Champ singled to load the bases. Hartman then cleared them with a grand slam, pushing the score to 6-0. The Eagles responded with a two-run homer by Caden Stinson, making it 6-2 through two innings.

In the fourth inning, Sabor hit a solo home run, increasing Friends' lead to 7-2. The Eagles answered with a solo homer from Gilbert Morales and an RBI single by pinch hitter Devonte Bailey, closing the gap to 7-4.

Friends added two more runs in the sixth inning. After Sabor singled and Gagol walked, Champ reached on a fielder's choice, and a passed ball allowed Champ and Sabor to score, bringing the lead to 9-4. The Eagles managed to score once more in the seventh inning, but the Falcons maintained their lead.

Miles Hartman emerged as a key player, scoring two runs and driving in four with a home run. Holden Sabor contributed with two hits, including a home run, and scored twice. Bernie Socarras added a double and drove in two runs. Xavier Champ tallied two runs and recorded a hit.

Seve Sissac came in for relief for the Falcons, pitching 2 innings, giving up 2 hits and 1 earned run, while striking out 2 batters over 26 pitches with 17 strikes. Sissac maintained a WHIP of 1.00 during his appearance.

The Falcons (13-14) KCAC (7-7) will go against Southwestern College in their next game. The game will be held at Winfield, Kan. at 4:00 on Tuesday (Mar. 17).