AUBURNDALE, Fla. - The Martin Luther College baseball team opened the 2022 season with a pair of losses to Finlandia University by the scores of 12-6 and 11-2 on Friday.

Finlandia 12, MLC 6

The Knights gave up a pair of big innings early as Finlandia won the opening game 12-6.

The Lions scored five times in both the first and third innings, and added one run in each of the second and fourth frames, as they built a 12-1 lead after four.

The bats started to come alive later in the game for MLC, as they scored two runs off wild pitches, and then added four more on run-scoring hits by Sam Rodriguez, Mason Cox and Alex Ritter.

Spencer Lilienthal and Jordan Ramirez each scored two runs for the Knights. Michael Fromm (0-1) started the game and took the loss, going two innings and allowing six runs (four earned) on seven hits. Branden Mueller pitched three scoreless innings in relief for the Knights. 

Finlandia 11, MLC 2

Finlandia finished off the sweep with the help of two more big innings to score an 11-2 win in game two.

The Knights opened the scoring following a sacrifice fly by Andrew Deisinger in the first inning, and had a chance for more in the second, but stranded the bases loaded.

The Lions came back with six runs in the bottom of the second inning, and then added four more in the fifth inning on the way to the win.

Carter Seltz (0-1) made the start in his collegiate debut and started strong, but allowed six runs on five hits in 1.2 innings in defeat.

The Knights opened the season 0-2 following the two defeats. Finlandia improved to 2-6 with the two wins.

MLC will return to action tomorrow (Saturday, March 5) when it continues its Florida trip with a doubleheader against Lakeland. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., local time.