WICHITA, Kan. — The Friends University Falcons rallied for a 3-1 victory over the Benedictine College Ravens to split a doubleheader today (Mar. 8) at Two Rivers Youth Complex. The Ravens had won the first game 9-1.
The Falcons trailed late in the nightcap after the Ravens snapped a scoreless tie with a run in the fifth inning. With two outs and no runners on in the sixth, a double by
Cambell Riordan was immediately followed by Tamra Lozoya's two-run homer to left field, scoring pinch-runner
Zoie Redgate to flip the game upside down and put the Falcons on top. The scoring continued as
Lexy Melo walked and advanced on a single by
Regan Witt, setting the stage for
Peyton Ganger's RBI single to left field that chased home Melo.
Ezra Arrendondo then emphatically closed out the victory with a strikeout to finish a 1-2-3 seventh inning.
Lozoya recorded two hits, including the home run, while Arredondo pitched a complete game with only one earned run allowed and five strikeouts over seven innings to earn the win.
The Ravens seized control in the third inning of the opening tilt, with Reagan Enright delivering a three-run homer to extend their lead to 6-1.
Friends had opportunities to shift the momentum, notably in the second inning when Riordan singled and Lozoya reached base on a hit by pitch, putting two runners on with no outs. However, the threat ended prematurely with two strikeouts and a pop-up, nullifying the chance to close the gap. In the fifth inning, the Ravens added two more insurance runs to put it away.
Mekenzi Humphers collected two hits in her three at-bats and
Izzy Jones scored Madison Nightengale with a sacrifice fly in the third inning for the Falcons only run of the game.
The Ravens hit three home runs overall in the first game, with Kaleigh Small hitting a solo shot in the first inning and Alena Velilla homering in the fifth. Bailey Selvage struck out seven and allowed just one run over five innings to get the win.
After going 3-1 this weekend, including winning both games yesterday (Mar. 7) at their home invitational, the Falcons will begin KCAC action next Saturday (Mar. 14) at Avila University. The first game will begin at 1 pm in Kansas City, Mo.
