Having pitched only one inning so far due to injury, Michael Cardenas made his first start of 2024 on Saturday when he took on Southfield, Michigan's, Lawrence Technological University in Game 2 of the double-header with the NAIA opponent at the Russ-Matt Invitational. Although the team did not win, Cardenas worked five terrific innings. LTU won the game 4-0 after winning the opener 13-0.

Cardenas put up a line of 5 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, and 6 K. The runs scored on a ground ball in the bottom of the first and a sacrifice fly in the third to limit the damage in each inning. His final two innings were both 1-2-3 frames, giving Cardenas a string of eight straight batters retired to end his day. He threw 62 of his 88 pitches for strikes.

Colin Sepulveda and Jacob Burke hit safely for the Eagles, who faced outstanding pitching in both games.

Sepulveda also singled in Game 1 as did Jordan Fernandez and Parker Laffrey.

The Eagles will then return to Auburndale next weekend for a double-header with NAIA Cornerstone University (Grand Rapids, Michigan) on Friday and single games with NAIA teams Aquinas College (Grand Rapids, Michigan) and Rochester University (Rochester Hills, Michigan) on Saturday. The next home games are on March 19 and 20 when Trinity Baptist hosts double-headers against the University of Fort Lauderdale of the South Region and first-time opponent Millennia Atlantic University, respectively.