(Box Score) (Box Score 2)
OAKLAND PARK, Fla. (April 5, 2024) – Florida National University’s baseball team (16-18) was swept by the NCCAA’s No. 1-ranked team in the nation, suffering 1-0 and 14-7 losses to the University of Fort Lauderdale Eagles (31-9) Friday. The Conquistadors were held to just four hits in game one, keeping a clean sheet with no errors recorded through seven frames.
The opening inning saw FNU’s Daniel Silgado blast a double before Gino Bellantoni and Yordangel Gonzalez were both retired on swinging strikes to close out the top of the first. The Eagles didn’t have much luck at the bottom of the frame, collecting two putouts in the infield and a fly out to right. FNU was held hitless in the second, as the Eagles stranded two runners in the same inning.
Silgado struck gold again in the third, executing a single to highlight another scoreless frame for FNU. Pitcher Mario Benjamin ended the third conceding no hits before third baseman Matthew Gonzalez became just the second Conquistador to record a hit in the game. Gonzalez’s single put him in a position to advance to third on a wild pitch, but the infielder was ultimately left stranded in prime scoring position.
The breakthrough moment came in the bottom of the fifth, as Chris Martin performed a textbook and timely sacrifice fly to advance Jayvionne Williams to third and run in Gabriel Mangual. This became the game winning score after FNU was held runless through the last two innings.
Game two was an offensive showcase, as both teams were tied at seven runs a piece before UFTL posted seven unanswered runs to sweep FNU on Davis Field at Northeast High School. Eagles pitcher Javier Lopez closed out the contest for the Eagles, collecting the save.
Up Next: FNU exits its four-game series tomorrow with a 1 p.m. doubleheader versus the Eagles in Oakland Park, Fla.
