WICHITA, Kan. — Southwestern College's baseball team fell to Friends University 17-7 in a high-scoring contest. The Builders struggled defensively, committing three errors that led to five unearned runs for Friends.

Friends wasted no time getting on the board, scoring one run in the bottom of the first inning. Southwestern responded in the top of the first with a run of their own, but the Falcons' offense exploded for six runs in the second inning, capitalizing on two Builder errors. Friends tacked on six more runs in the third, highlighted by a three-run homer from Zach Henson.

J.J. Cardinal paced the Builders' offense, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs.

Luica Dincola also contributed a three-run home run in the fourth inning, briefly cutting into the deficit.

Southwestern managed to score two runs in the fifth, but Friends answered back with three more in the fourth and another in the seventh to put the game out of reach.

The Builders' defensive miscues proved costly, as three errors resulted in five runs for the Falcons. Starting pitcher Micah Cleveland lasted 1.2 innings, allowing six runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks. The bullpen struggled to contain Friends' bats, surrendering 11 more runs over the final 4.1 innings.

With the loss, Southwestern drops to (3-10,1-7). Friends improves to (8-12, 3-7).

The Builders will look to bounce back on Saturday in the second game of the series, first pitch at 1 p.m.