LAKE WALES, Fla. - The Royals returned home on Thursday to take on Florida Memorial University for the 1st of a 4 game SUN Conference Series. Warner earned a 3-to-2 win behind dominant pitching and timely hits, including a 2-run Home Run by Dawson Schumann. 

After both programs' pitching and defense shutout one another for the first 4 and a half Innings, the Royals were able to create string at-bats together to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 5th. Jhenzel Figueroa drove in the 1st run of the game when he hit an RBI Sacrifice Fly out to right field to bring home Ethan Pues. The Lions answered back with a run of their own in the 6th Inning creating a rally of their own, before Austin Vakiener was able to snuff out the FMU offense and leave 2 runners stranded in scoring position to keep the game knotted at 1 run each. In the bottom of the 6th, the Royals coaching staff called upon Dawson Schumann to pinch hit and the Senior took full advantage of the opportunity given to him as he crushed a no doubt 2-run Home Run into left field to give the Warner a 3-to-1 lead. In true SUN Conference fashion, the Lions fought until the end and cut the Royals lead to 1 in the 9th, but Alexi Angelo was able to secure the Royals win to earn his 2nd save of the season. 

The Royals pitching staff was dominant against Florida Memorial on Thursday. Vakiener got the start for the Royals and earned his 2nd win of the season throwing his best game of the year against the Lions. The Senior threw 6 Innings and allowed only 1 run on 5 hits and sat down 10 straight batters between the 2nd and 5th Innings. Vakiener also threw one of the fastest Innings of the season for the Royals when he retired the side in the 4th Inning on only 6 pitches. Willis McCarter continued the Royals dominance on the mound coming out of the bullpen to throw 2.1 Innings while allowing only 1 unearned run on 3 hits and struckout a new season high 5 batters to help Warner secure the win. Angelo wrapped up the night for the Royals coming into the game to face the go-ahead run at the plate with 1 out. Angelo handled the pressure in stride as he would strand 2 runners on base to earn the save and help secure the 3-to-2 SUN Conference victory for Warner.

Warner will attempt to extend their SUN Conference winning streak tomorrow when they continue their series with FMU. 

Warner Game Stat Leaders
HRs: Dawson Schumann (1)
RBIs: Dawson Schumann (2)
Stolen Bases: Raul Olivera & Evan Ledoux (2)
Ks: WIllis McCarter (5)

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Up Next:
The Royals will return to Sikes Family Field for a double-header against Florida Memorial University tomorrow, March 28th, with game 1 set to begin at 3:00pm and game 2 scheduled for 6:00pm. 

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