The Florida Memorial baseball team secured its fourth consecutive victory on Thursday in West Palm Beach, FL, defeating 17th-ranked Keiser (19-3)by a score of 18-7. This win marks another triumph against an opponent either ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches Poll this season.
With this victory, the Lions improved their record to 12-10 and are currently ranked No. 7 in Black College Nines’ Top 10 Poll presented by Guardian Baseball for the Small School Division, Week Two of 2025.
Florida Memorial outhit Keiser 19-12, overcoming an early 1-0 deficit after Keiser scored in the bottom of the first inning. The score remained 1-0 until the Lions erupted for six runs in the top of the third inning, taking a commanding 6-1 lead. The highlight of this inning was a bases-loaded triple by Raymond Rivera, which brought in three runs. Keiser managed to add a run in the bottom of the third, bringing the score to 6-2.
The Lions continued to build their lead with another run in the fourth inning, making it 7-2. However, Keiser fought back, scoring four runs in the bottom of the fifth to close the gap to 7-6.
Florida Memorial then seized control of the game, scoring three runs in the sixth inning, another run in the seventh, and six more in the top of the ninth. While Keiser managed to score one run in the bottom of the ninth, it was not enough to overcome the Lions, who earned a decisive victory.
Christian Carratala led the offensive effort with four runs batted in, going 3-for-5 at the plate and scoring three runs. Justin Martinez contributed with three hits in five at-bats and drove in three runs. Rivera added three runs with his triple, while Armando Ramirez went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Ernie Farrell had a stellar performance, going 4-for-5 with four runs scored and one RBI.
On the pitching side, William Hiciano (W, 2-0) started the game, pitching 4.1 innings, allowing eight hits while striking out two batters. Kelvin Feliciano relieved Hiciano, getting the final two outs of the inning. Juan Anderson pitched for 2.0 innings, allowing just one hit. Brandon Roman pitched 2.0 innings, giving up one run on two hits and striking out three batters.