[Baseball] Falcons Top Saint Mary 4-3 in Wichita

WICHITA, Kan. — The Friends University Falcons extended their home winning streak to ten games Friday (Mar. 4), downing the University of Saint Mary Spires 4-3 at West Side Athletic Field.

After three scoreless innings, the Falcons struck first in the bottom of the fourth when Jared Berard (SR/Tacoma, Wash.) singled through the left side to bring Elerie Rivera (SR/Patillas, Puerto Rico) home. Then with the bases loaded, Pryce Anderson (JR/Coffeyville, Kan.) kept things going with a single to center field that drove in Berard and Max Coyt (SR/Hanford, Calif.).

The Falcons added an insurance run in the seventh inning that later proved to be critical when Caleb Coats (SO/Katy, Texas) singled to bring Ricky Hockett (SR/Plainville, Kan. ) around to score. 

The Spires wouldn't go down without a fight, scoring three runs in the top of the eighth. Peyton Garvin doubled to drive in a pair of runs, then a single by Damon Siefer cut the lead to 4-3. 

Then, with the Spires threatening to tie the ballgame with just one out in the eighth and a runner on third, Preston Gibson flew out to shallow left field. Garvin tried to tag up and score, but a strong throw by Coats to Anderson put the game away.

Anderson went 1-for-3 at the plate and drove in a pair of runs. Rivera, Coats, and Hockett each swiped one bag. 

Jerson Morales (FR/Florida City, Fla.) was outstanding on the mound for the Falcons (10-6, 2-0 KCAC), throwing 7.1 innings, with eight strikeouts and allowing just two hits in his first start of the season. Nolan Crumrine (FR/Sedgwick, Kan.) came on in the ninth to pick up the save. 

The teams will finish up the three-game set tomorrow (Mar. 5) with a doubleheader beginning at noon.