Friends Ahtletics
Levi Convirs, Sports Information Director
TEXARKANA, Texas – The Friends University Falcons swept a twinbill by scores of 4-2 and 10-5 over the Texas A&M University-Texarkana Eagles to capture the weekend series victory 3-1.
“It’s been a long three weeks with trips to Dallas, Shreveport (La.), Goodwell (Okla.) and Texarkana, we just wanted to try to get better every weekend,” Friends head coach Adam Neisius said.
Down 3-1 in the fourth inning of the nightcap, the Falcons exploded for nine runs, powered by a three-run double from Emilio Navarro (SR/Porterville, Calif. ). Navarro then scored the ninth run of the frame on a double by Ricardo Paris (JR/Barquisimeto, Valenzuela).
Bobby Stewart (JR/Naples, Fla. ) also doubled home two runs in the big inning, with Gilbert Valenzuela (SO/Hereford, Ariz. ) adding a two-run single.
Valenzuela had three hits in the second game for the Falcons and Stewart and Paris each had a pair of hits.
Kobe Krehbiel (JR/Wichita, Kan.) was the winning pitcher for the Falcons, tossing two relief innings and allowing one run.
Luke Royle (SO/Dodge City, Kan. ) started for Friends and gave up two runs on one hit in an inning of work.
Keone McKee was a perfect 3-of-3 at the plate for the Eagles.
The Falcons pulled out the opening game by coming through with two runs in the seventh to snap a 2-2 gridlock.
Isiah Perez (JR/Larned, Kan. ) got things started with a one-out single and scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch.
Jace Snodgrass (SR/Derby, Kan.) then drove home pinch runner John Coogan (FR/Broomfield, Colo.) with a two-out single for a valuable insurance tally.
After the Eagles jumped on top with a run in the first, Emilio Escamilla promptly tied the score by smashing his first career home run to tie the score.
Navarro then scored on an RBI single by Perez in the fourth to put the Falcons on top 2-1.
Perez had two hits in three at-bats for the Falcons in the nightcap.
Alex Dafoe (SR/Lake Havasu City, Ariz.) was superb on the mound for Friends, pitching a complete game and allowing two runs while fanning nine batters.
“We got quality starting pitching and timely hitting with runners in scoring position,” Neisius said. “It was good to see some guys step up, proud of all the players for grinding through the weekend. It was a great series win for us.”
The Falcons will next host Benedictine College for their home opener Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 12) at 4 pm at West Urban Field in Wichita.