Florida Memorial Baseball: Ty Martinez RBI Single Drives in Andres Balart, Luis Alvarez Advances to Second

Florida Memorial University pulled off an upset victory over No. 17 Keiser University with an 18-7 win in game one of their weekend series at Silvester Jr. Field in West Palm Beach, Florida.

After trailing 1-0 in the first inning, the Lions scored six runs in the top of the third inning. Designated hitter Justin Martinez produced an RBI-single that scored Ernie Farrell for FMU’s first run. Moments later, with the bases loaded, senior Reinaldo Prieto drew a walk, scoring senior Pheron Charlton. Senior Ramon Rivera then hit a 3-RBI triple that brought home Prieto, Martinez, and Andres Carratala. Rivera later scored on a ground out-RBI by Armando Ramirez, giving FMU a 6-1 lead.

Keiser responded with a run in the bottom of the third, but FMU answered in the fourth when Ernie Farrell hit a solo home run to left field, extending the lead to 7-2. The Seahawks scored four runs in the fifth inning to cut the deficit to one run.

In the sixth inning, FMU added three more runs. Pheron Charlton generated an RBI-single that scored Farrell. Andres Carratala followed with an RBI-double that scored Charlton. Justin Martinez then produced a sacrifice-fly RBI that brought home Carratala.

In the seventh inning, freshman Marquis Clarke scored a run. Justin Martinez added a solo home run in the eighth inning. In the ninth inning, catcher Pedro Gutierrez hit a two-run home run, followed by a three-run shot to right field from Andres Carratala, sealing the victory.

Lions pitcher William Hiciano was credited with the victory, striking out two batters while allowing six earned runs across 4.1 innings. Brandon Roman closed the game, fanning three Seahawks batters while giving up one earned run in two innings of work.

Florida Memorial returns to action on Friday, March 21, as they face No. 17 Keiser in a doubleheader.