Springfield, MO. - The Friends University Falcons closed out the regular season with an 8-5 victory over Evangel University on Friday afternoon (Apr. 24), using a decisive fifth inning to secure the win.

After falling behind 1-0 early, Friends broke the game open in the fifth, erupting for seven runs on five hits. Camden Miller delivered a two-RBI single to spark the rally, while Bernie Socarras, Hudson Sharp, Holden Sabor, and Drew Lykes each drove in runs as the Falcons surged ahead 7-1. 

Evangel responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to trim the deficit, but the Falcons maintained control behind timely pitching and defense. Sabor added an insurance run with a solo home run in the seventh to extend the lead. 

On the mound, Cameron Chase went the first four innings before Seve Sissac provided a strong relief effort, tossing five innings and allowing just one unearned run to earn the win. 

Offensively, Friends tallied 12 hits, with Xavier Champ leading the way with a three-hit performance. Miller, Socarras, and Sabor each drove in multiple runs in the victory. 

With the win, the Falcons close the regular season at (29-21) overall and (23-13) in KCAC play, carrying momentum into postseason action.

Regular season statistics:

In the 50 games played this season for Friends, the Falcons were led by two senior leaders, Miles Hartman and Bernie Socarras. Both started in every game this season.

Socarras led the team in batting average (.424) and total bases (118). He ranked second in the KCAC and was among the top 20 in batting average in the NAIA. In addition to his outstanding hitting, Socarras was perfect in right field, posting a 1.000 fielding percentage with 104 putouts.

Hartman, who batted .339, led the team in at-bats (192) while starting at shortstop and hitting leadoff in every game for Friends.

The Falcons' third baseman, Elijah Morales, was the most prolific power hitter in the lineup. Morales led the team with 61 RBIs, ranking in the top 20 in the NAIA and fourth in the KCAC. He was also the only Falcon to reach double digits in home runs, finishing the regular season with 12.

As a team, the Falcons hit .317 with a .427 on-base percentage. Their slugging percentage was just below .500, finishing at .454.

Defensively, the Falcons were highly efficient. Friends ranked second in the NAIA in fielding percentage (.975), just behind Baker. Compared to the 2024-25 season, the Falcons improved their fielding percentage by six percent while leading the KCAC in back-to-back years.

The mid-to-late season stretch proved to be the most important for the Falcons. During that run, they rewrote the record books by putting together a 12-game winning streak, the longest in the program's modern era.

What's next for the Falcons:

The KCAC baseball tournament will be held in Salina, Kan. at Dean Evans Stadium. Friends is the 4th seed and they will play the 5th seed McPherson in an Omaha style type of bracket. 

The Falcons will play their game on Wednesday (Apr. 29) with the first pitch at 3:30 PM.