MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (Feb. 29, 2024) – Florida National University dropped to 6-8 in the 2024 season, losing to the Florida Memorial University Lions (4-4) Thursday. The Lions came into their opening day at Harry T. Moore Baseball Field fresh off an impressive 10-4 win over the RV St. Thomas University Bobcats. Florida National was forced to settle for an 8-4 loss in Miami Gardens, Fla., after losing three of its last four contests.
In the first inning, FNU was left without a hit or a score before FMU took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the frame. A 4-3 groundout on Ernie Farrell afforded Luis Ruiz enough time to make it safely to home plate and Pheron Charlton made a huge effort play to steal home as FNU retired the side.
FMU doubled their lead in the second, as Farrell posted a two-RBI single to highlight a three-hit inning for the Lions. FNU managed three hits leading into the bottom of the fourth but could not break through for a much-needed run. Things went from bad to concerning for FNU, as Charlton and Ruiz scored on a wild pitch by FNU’s Gavin Gonzalez.
The Conquistadors finally got on the board courtesy of a two-RBI homer from the Canadian sensation and center fielder Jordan Lewis. Lewis’ bomb to left field allowed Jason Altuve to run in as FNU trailed 6-2 in the fifth. FNU continued to keep the pressure on in the sixth with an RBI single from veteran catcher Adrian Roman. Their lead cut in half, the Lions stayed cool under pressure and added another run to their total, this time on an RBI single from Raymond Rivera.
FNU needed to score in a hurry but was held to just one run through the last three innings of the game. Right fielder Gino Bellantoni posted a sacrifice fly in the seventh to score Lewis and FMU ran in Gianni Tusa for their final score of the contest in the eighth.
FNU recorded eight hits and two errors in the loss while FMU defended their home field with 10 hits and one error.
Up Next: FNU continues a four-game road series versus the Lions on March 1 with an 11 a.m. doubleheader.
