(Box Score) (Box Score 2)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (March 11, 2023) – Florida National’s baseball team surpassed last season’s win total in dominant fashion following a two-game sweep of the Trinity Baptist Eagles Saturday. FNU’s new-look baseball team played their way to an impressive 8-4 win in game two after completing a 2-0 win in the opener.
In game one, pitcher Bastyan Hernandez threw 15 strikeouts in seven innings of play from the mound. He allowed just four hits the whole contest and five walks. FNU’s offense finally kicked in gear in the sixth, as a two RBI home run from Roberto Fernandez that scored Gino Bellantoni was just enough to secure the 2-0 win. Despite FNU just connecting on two hits in game one, game two showcased FNU’s offensive capabilities.
Game two saw FNU get off to a slow start as the Eagles scored on a wild pitch from former Continental Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week Mario Benjamin. The Eagles would hold on to this lead until a monster performance from FNU at the top of the fourth. Fernandez repeated his brilliance from the opener with an earth-shattering two-RBI homer that once again sent Bellantoni to make the sore 2-1. Another FNU score this time from Alejandro De Arazoza bumped FNU lead to 3-1.
The sixth saw more glimpses of the FNU home-run derby as third baseman Matthew Gonzalez connected on a solo homer for the lone hit and run of the inning. The Eagles had their homer to make the game a little more interesting until FNU rattled off a four-run, three-hit sixth. De Arazoza scored on an error from the Eagles’ second baseman. Anson Graumann and Yordangel Gonzalez scored on a single from Adrian Roman. Jose Carpena scored FNU’s eighth and final run of the game as FNU signed sealed and delivered its ninth win of the season.
TBC had four runs, six hits and two errors while FNU recorded eight runs, seven hits and two errors.
Up Next: FNU Baseball travels to West Palm Beach, Fla., for a 3 p.m. game versus RV Keiser University March 14.
