BOCA RATON, Fla. - For the second time in the series, Lynn baseball delivered late-game magic, as Joel Tapia-Melo scored the walk-off run in the ninth inning to lift the Fighting Knights to a 3-2 victory over Embry-Riddle and secure the Sunshine State Conference series on opening weekend of the program's new field. With the win, Lynn improves to 20-19 overall and 10-11 in SSC play, marking its fourth series victory in the last five conference matchups behind another resilient, come-from-behind effort.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Lynn struck first in the opening inning, as Justin Lopez reached and came around to score on an RBI groundout from Scout Simpson to take a 1-0 lead
- Embry-Riddle threatened early with multiple baserunners in the first, but Lynn's defense turned a double play to escape the jam
- The Fighting Knights and Eagles settled into a pitchers' duel through the middle innings, with both sides limited offensively and multiple scoreless frames strung together
- Lynn had a chance to add insurance in the sixth after a double from Amaris Harrison, but the opportunity went unanswered
- Embry-Riddle broke through in the seventh, using a two-run home run to flip the score and take a 2-1 lead
- Lynn was held off the board in the seventh and eighth despite putting runners on, keeping the deficit at one entering the final frame
- In the ninth, Jason Lashley led off with a double to spark the rally before Bryant Zayas entered as a pinch runner, moving to third on a stolen base
- Ivan Herrera delivered in the clutch once again with a sacrifice bunt RBI to tie the game at 2-2
- Luca Arenado lifted a timely deep flyout to center field, allowing Joel Tapia-Melo to advance to third base.
- Moments later, a wild pitch allowed Tapia-Melo to score from third, giving Lynn a walk-off 3-2 victory in the rubber match
 
FIGHTING KNIGHT STATS:
- Joel Tapia-Melo extended his on-base streak to 28 consecutive games, reaching twice via walk and scoring the game-winning run
- Ivan Herrera delivered in the clutch once again, recording a game-tying RBI in the ninth after clutching up with the game-winning hit in Game 1
- Scout Simpson drove in Lynn's first run with an RBI groundout, maintaining his efficiency at the plate
- Justin Lopez continued his dominant series, going 2-for-3 with a walk and scoring a run to lead the offense
- Amaris Harrison and Jason Lashley each recorded multi-hit performances, combining for four of Lynn's seven hits
- Mason Tinsley turned in a strong start, tossing 7.0 innings with four strikeouts, while also picking off two runners to erase scoring threats
- The Fighting Knights' defense came up big with three double plays, consistently shutting down Embry-Riddle rallies
- Bryant Zayas provided a spark off the bench, scoring the tying run and swiping a key stolen base in the ninth
- Lynn drew four walks as a team and showed patience late to fuel the comeback
- Zackary Gonzalez (5-0) earned the win out of the bullpen, delivering two scoreless innings to keep Lynn within striking distance
 
UP NEXT:
Lynn baseball will hit the road to Lakeland next weekend to face off with Florida Southern in a three-game SSC series kicking off with a single game on Friday, Apr. 24 at 6 p.m.