Matchup: (rv) Keiser University Seahawks vs Warner University Royals
Records: Keiser Seahawks (26-12, 10-7 SUN) vs. Warner Royals (20-19, 9-8 SUN)
Score: Keiser 5, Warner 11
Pitchers of Record: W: E. Christ (1-1), L: C. Hawkes (7-2)
Time of Game: 6:00 PM
Sikes Family Field, Lake Wales, Fla.

LAKE WALES, Fla. — A seven-run first inning proved too much to overcome Thursday night, as Keiser dropped a Sun Conference decision to Warner at Sikes Family Field, falling to 26-12 overall and 10-7 in league play.

Starter Carson Hawkes couldn't escape the first unscathed, as a pair of errors — one by second baseman Maddox Shaver and one by Hawkes himself on a sacrifice bunt — helped Warner send seven runs across. Evan Ledoux and Timothy Dunn each doubled to right field with multiple runners aboard to cap the damage. Hawkes battled through three innings before giving way to the bullpen, and Warner tacked on single runs in the third and sixth and two more in the seventh to push the final to 11.

The Seahawks had their moments. Elian Collado ripped a bases-clearing double to left field in the fifth to make it 8-4, and Jaden Ross scored on a wild pitch in the sixth to cut it to three. But Warner answered right back and Keiser couldn't get any closer, stranding runners and striking out 10 times on the night as Warner's pitching staff held firm.

Collado was the lone bright spot offensively, going 3-for-5 with a double and three RBI. Avery Doezie added a pair of hits, and pinch-hitter Maurice Maiquez delivered a timely single to spark the fifth-inning rally. Jake Billings and Sean D'Agostini saw bullpen time for the Seahawks.

Keiser managed just seven hits, left six on base, and never found enough offense to climb back into it.

• With the loss, Keiser falls to 26-12 overall and 10-7 in Sun Conference play
• Elian Collado went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBI, accounting for all of Keiser's RBI on the night. He is now hitting .406 on the season
• Carson Hawkes took the loss, moving to 7-2 on the year. He allowed eight runs — just two earned — on nine hits over three innings
• Keiser went 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position. All three hits came from Collado, Maiquez, and Garcia — the rest of the lineup was a combined 0-for-10 in those situations
• Keiser reached base 13 times on the night — seven hits, three walks, and three hit batters — but scored just five runs
• Six of Warner's 11 runs on the night were unearned

The Seahawks will continue their series with the Royals starting at 3:00 PM.