Florida Memorial University opened Game 1 of its three-game series with a 6-4 win over the University of Fort Lauderdale Eagles on Friday.
The Eagles scored first in the top of the fourth inning, taking a 2-0 lead. Florida Memorial reduced the deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Leading off the inning, Pheron Charlton was hit by a pitch, stole second, advanced to third on an infield ground out, and scored on an Armando Ramirez single to left field.
Fort Lauderdale extended its lead to 4-1 in the top of the sixth inning on an error by the FMU Lions, which allowed two hits and two runs.
Florida Memorial scored in the bottom of the sixth inning and tied the game in the bottom of the seventh following an error by UFTL that allowed Ramirez to reach base. Christopher Marte singled to right field, and Ramirez advanced to third. Daniel Lopez grounded out, scoring Ramirez, and Marquis Clarke also grounded out, scoring an unearned run.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Florida Memorial Lions scored two runs to secure the win. Ernie Farrell doubled to right field, contributing to the victory. The Lions accumulated 11 hits in the game. Ramirez went 1-for-5 and led the team with two RBIs. Marte went 3-for-5 to lead Florida Memorial. Jason Ramos, Christian Carratala, and Kidane Stephens each had multiple hits. They stole six bases in the game.
William Hiciano started for Florida Memorial, allowing five hits, three runs, two of which were earned runs over 5.1 innings, striking out eight and walking two. Brandon Roman pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless relief, allowing two hits, striking out none, and walking none.
Game Two
Florida Memorial beat UFTL 5-4 on Saturday in the second game of the scheduled three-game set after taking the lead late in the game. The game was tied at four in the bottom of the sixth when the University of Fort Lauderdale hit a solo home run to left field.
UFTL opened the scoring in the game in the third inning with a solo home run to left field. Florida Memorial’s Christopher Marte walked, helping tie the game at one in the bottom of the third.
In the bottom of the fourth, Florida Memorial broke the tie when Jason Ramos singled up the middle, advanced to second on a balk, and Pheron Charlton and Erin Farrell walked, moving Ramos to third to load the bases. Armando Ramirez singled to right field, scoring two runs to put the Lions up 3-1. FMU scored another run in the inning on Marte’s sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Farrell for a 4-1 lead.
Fort Lauderdale tied the game in the top of the sixth with a solo home run to left field, and a throwing error by Florida Memorial allowed three runs to cross the plate on two hits.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, with the game was tied at 4-4, Kidane Stephens led off the inning with a home run to left center, securing the 5-4 win.
Ernie Farrell, Jason Ramos, Christian Carratala, Ramirez, and Stephens each collected one hit for Florida Memorial. Ramirez led FMU with two RBIs, going 1-for-4 on the day.
The Lion’s starter Daniel Ramos surrendered four hits and one run over four innings, striking out six and walking two. Kelvin Feliciano, Jamal Johnson, and Jesus Portillo each threw scoreless innings in relief.
Game Three
Florida Memorial aimed for a series sweep but lost the series finale 12-3.