Lindsborg, Kan. — The Friends University Falcons exploded in the second game for an 11-5 win to split two games at the Bethany College Swedes today (Mar. 21) in Lindsborg, Kan. Bethany had won the opening game 3-1.
The second game began with Bethany taking an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning thanks to a single from Emmaline Senecaut that brought home two runners.
In the fifth inning, the Falcons turned the game around on a two-run blast by Payton Ganger after
Marina Roman reached an error.
Raeleen Hernandez then walked and stole two bases before scoring on
Ezra Arredondo's single. Pinch runners
Zoie Redgate and
Angelina Mendoza later scored on
Regan Witt's walk and
Madison Nightingale's single respectively. Roman then doubled, bringing in two more runs to cap the Falcons' eight-run inning.
The sixth frame saw Hernandez walk and score on Arredondo's double to extend the Falcon lead to 9–2.
In the seventh inning, Roman singled and crossed the plate on Arredondo's double, which also brought in Ganger to increase Friends' lead to 11–3. Bethany added two more runs in their half on a two-run single by Ulissa Rivas, but
Ainsley McGill got a fly out and strikeout to finish the victory for the Falcons.
Ganger's two-run homer was pivotal for the Falcons and Arredondo powered the offense with three hits, including two doubles, and drove in four runs. Roman was effective, recording two hits and two RBIs while also adding a stolen base to her performance.
Tamara Lozoya also had two hits for Friends.
Arredondo was credited with the win after lasting 6.1 innings with five runs allowed and a pair of strikeouts.
Alex Udy registered three hits, two of which were doubles in the second game for the Swedes.
Bethany took control of the opening game in the fifth inning when Rivas doubled down the left-field line to drive in two runs, while Avery Newmiller added another RBI with another double to make it 3–0.
Lozoya singled to right field in the sixth and later scored on a double by
Teagan Moreno to put the Falcons on the board, but Amia Alexander-Sims got the final out of the inning and then retired the Falcons in order in the seventh to preserve the win and get the save.
On the mound,
Jenna Ormiston pitched 4 2/3 innings for the Falcons in the first game, allowing three earned runs while striking out five batters.
Newmiller had three hits in three at-bats for the Swedes, including a double and one RBI. Dylann Baker allowed just one earned run and struck out five batters over 5 2/3 innings to earn the win for the Swedes.
The Falcons, now 12-13 overall and 2-4 in the KCAC, will next return home and host Tabor College Tuesday afternoon (Mar. 24) starting at 3 pm at Two Rivers Youth Complex.
