NAIA/Baseball
Michael Coker Black College Nines
Florida Memorial University baseball team played its 2015 home opener with a doubleheader thrilling last at bat rally defeating Edward Waters 4 to 3 then finished the second game hurling a two hitter defeating EWC 10 to 0 in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Florida Memorial jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning of the first game. Both teams traded runs evening the score at 3 to 3 heading into FMU final at bat.
Florida Memorial had runners on first and second base before Catch Christopher Perez drove in the winning run on a base hit to left field scoring Joshua Matos from second for the FMU Tigers first win of the 2015 season.
FMU momentum continued heading into Game Two of the doubleheader. In the bottom of the third inning, benefitting from two fielding errors committed by Edward Waters leading to five unearned runs forced EWC into a pitching change. The pitching changed proved to be ineffective as FMU explode for five more unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth on two additional errors to take a commanding 10-0 lead in the contest.
Florida Memorial starting pitcher Alberto Rosario was effective for three innings allowing only one hit. He appeared to injure his left leg but completed the inning. He did not return to the mound to start the fourth replaced by Yoanque Martinez out of the bullpen, going 2.2 innings in relief. Combined, Rosario and Martinez faced 18 batters, walked two, struck out five allowing just two hits. Martinez picked up the win in Game Two.
Rubert Alcantara led the Tigers on the day as he recorded one run with two hits one RBI (including one in each game). Brian Gonzalez, one run one hit one RBI and Kevin Gonzalez one hit. Both Gonzalez’s had one double each.
EWC allowed ten runs on eight hits. Fielding errors cost the Tigers.
Florida Memorial provided clutch hitting when needed and played solid defense as they played poised the entire afternoon.