A four-run nineth inning turned a 5-4 disadvantage into a Florida Memorial advantage, earning an 8-5 victory over Warner University in Lake Wales, Florida. Warner has received votes in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches poll. Two Florida Memorial players, Rohandry Javier and Alex Gomez, led the Tigers with two hits.
Florida Memorial took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an Alex Gomez run scoring double to right field plating Yunior Sanchez who was hit by a pitch earlier to reach base. Warner would jump right back into the game scoring two runs for a 2-1 lead at the end of the first inning.
Florida Memorial knotted the game up at 2-2 scoring a run in the top of the second inning. Jalen Young led off the second inning with a walk, stole second base, advanced to third on a fielder’s choice groundout and scored on a wild pitch. Warner University then scored two runs taking a 4-2 lead at the end of the second inning.
Florida Memorial would get two more runs in the top of the third inning. Javier led off the top of the third inning with a single to left field and stole second base, advanced to third on a fielding error by Warner’s shortstop Brandon Crosby off the batted ball by Luis Ruiz. Javier would score on a double steal. The Lions would add another run in the inning to even the score at 4-4.
The game remained tied at 4-4 until the bottom of the seventh inning when Warner took a 5-4 lead. In the top of the eighth inning, Florida Memorial had the bases loaded with two outs and Luis Velandia at the plate. Warner’s Luke Myers struck out Velandia on a called third strike leaving runners stranded.
In the top of the ninth inning, Lions bats came alive.
Javier walked and stole second. Ruiz reached first on an error with Javier advancing to third. Joseph Figueroa pinch ran for Ruiz and stole second, Sanchez grounded out to second base scoring Javier. Next batter Gomez singled to left field scoring Figueroa. FMU would add two more runs in the inning. Gomez scored on a wild pitch and Jensy Doval singled to center field scoring Nathan Harris who doubled in the inning to keep the Lions rally alive for the come from behind 8-5 win.
For Florida Memorial, Javier had two hits, scored two runs and stole two bases. Sanchez and Gomez banged in two runs, Harris and Gomez each hit doubles in the game.
Lions starter Max Charnin went 4.0 innings and recorded three strike outs. Roberto Mayorca pitched two innings of relief and Joselito Baez, in relief, recorded three strike outs earning the win.