LAKE WALES, FL. —  

Oklahoma Wesleyan University opened its 2026 Florida Challenge with a dramatic three-game series at Warner, showcasing electric offense, momentum swings, and standout individual performances. After dropping the opener, the Eagles roared back with exciting wins in Games 2 and 3 to claim the series 2–1.  

Game 1:  

Warner 12, OKWU 6 — January 31, 2026 

The Eagles in game 1 erupted for a five-run third inning featuring back-to-back home runs from W. Diaz and D. Manzanill. Diaz launched a two-run shot before Manzanill followed with a solo homer, and consecutive extra-base hits from J. Parreno and G. Morales extended the OKWU lead to 6–2.  

But Warner answered with explosive innings of their own. A four-run fourth and a five-run fifth powered by a grand slam turned the tide. Despite nine OKWU hits and a strong offensive start, defensive miscues and pitching struggles resulted in a 12–6 loss in the opener.  

Game 2:  

OKWU 14, Warner 0 — January 31, 2026 

In one of the most dominant offensive innings in recent Eagles history, OKWU exploded for 12 runs in the fourth inning, blowing open what had been a modest 2–0 lead. The inning featured doubles from Antigua, Diaz, and Manzanill; multiple bases-loaded walks; two hit-by-pitches; passed balls; and a steady barrage of traffic on the basepaths. Seventeen different Eagles came to the plate during the inning.  

Diaz and Manzanill again headlined the offense, combining for four hits and six RBIs. Antigua added a three-hit performance as well. Meanwhile, A. Luera delivered a masterful outing on the mound, spinning five scoreless innings, 4 strikeouts, and just allowing just two hits. Relievers H. Hansen and A. Garcia completed the shutout, giving OKWU a commanding bounce-back win to even the series.  

Game 3:  

OKWU 13, Warner 12 — February 2, 2026 

The series finale evolved into a nine-inning roller coaster, featuring lead changes in nearly every frame and both teams trading big innings. The Eagles jumped ahead early with a three-run first and added six more in the third, highlighted by a three-run home run from D. Manzanill and a two-run single by W. Diaz, pushing the lead to 10-3.  

Warner stormed back with a seven-run fourth inning and later took a 12–11 lead in the sixth. But OKWU refused to fold. 

Trailing by one entering the ninth, the Eagles loaded the bases and tied the game on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Derek Krause. Moments later, Luis Antigua delivered the game-winning sacrifice fly, scoring pinch-runner Dalton Bailey to put OKWU up 13–12.  

The standout of the night and arguably the series was reliever A. Garcia, who entered in the sixth and dominated the rest of the way. Garcia threw four hitless innings, striking out nine, including striking out the side in the bottom of the ninth to secure the series-clinching victory.  

Series Summary: Offensive Firepower, Resilience, and Emerging Stars 

Across the three-game series, Oklahoma Wesleyan totaled 33 runs on a barrage of timely hitting, plate discipline, and power: 

W. Diaz: Multiple multi-hit games, HR in Game 1, pivotal hits in all three contests 

D. Manzanill: Homers in Games 1 and 3, 7 RBIs across the series 

L. Antigua: Reached base consistently, drove in crucial late-game runs 

A. Quiles: Homer in the series (Games 3 performance) 

B. Caldwell: Extra-base hits and steady RBI production 

Pitching saw strong moments as well—Luera's Game-2 shutout performance and Garcia's Game-3 heroics stood out as defining contributions. 

The Eagles showed both dominance (14–0 win) and grit (13–12 comeback), setting a strong tone to their 2026 campaign.