Florida Memorial University junior Rohandry Javier lived up to his nickname – “Picante” (Spanish for spicy) – Friday, going a game-best 3-for-5 while also stealing two bases and scoring a run to help propel the Lions to a 6-3 victory over visiting Warner University Friday at Harry T. Moore Field.
FMU racked up 9 hits overall and received another gem of a pitching performance from senior lefty Rafael Fernandez to snap a three-game losing streak and take the weekend series-opening game from the Royals.
The teams will return to the Harry T. Moore diamond Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m.
Florida Memorial (13-18, 6-13 The Sun Conference) took a 6-1 lead into the eighth inning and was able to hold off threats from Warner (22-18, 6-10) in the final two innings.
The Royals, who have now lost two straight games to FMU, plated a run in the top of the eighth but only got that one and left two on base after Sorrell – who moved over to pitcher at the top of the inning replacing Fernandez – struck out the side. Similarly in the top of the ninth, the Royals were able to score a single run but only got that one because Lions pitcher Juan Hernandez – who relieved Sorrell during the inning – was able to force two fly outs, leaving two stranded again and ending the game.
Warner University ended up with 12 left on base.
After falling behind 0-1 in the second, FMU took the lead in the fourth inning thanks to a Yunior Sanchez 2-RBI single. The Lions extended that lead in the bottom of the fifth thanks to some timely hitting and aggressive base-running – getting Sorrell across home on a groundout; Javier on a double steal that allowed him to race home while Warner’s catcher tried to throw out the runner at second; and a Sanchez double to center field that brought Axel Gomez home.
Sanchez finished with a game-high 3 RBI while going 2-for-4 on the day. Rivera had 2 RBI and a run scored, Sorrell was 2-for-4, and Manuel Mollinedo was 1-for-3 Friday.
Fernandez, who earned The Sun Conference Pitcher of the Week honor for his performance this past weekend, pitched 7 full innings Friday, striking ot 3, allowing 5 hits and just 1 earned run.