Box Score PADUCAH, Ky. - The Freed-Hardeman Lions opened conference play by splitting a double-header with Mid-Continent (Ky.) University on Friday evening, taking the first game 5-2 before dropping the nightcap, 8-5.

FHU used a three-run sixth inning in game one to take the lead, turning a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead. After Leamond Arthur tied the game with a one-out RBI single, an error by Cougar first baseman Adam Conner allowed Zach Burns to score. Evan Mansell later delivered an RBI single with two outs to add to the Lions' cushion.

Roman Kelly (1-0) picked up the win in relief of Lion starter Hunter Newby. Kelly escaped a jam in the fifth inning when he entered with two outs and runners on first and second and got Brantley Barrett to pop up to end the inning.

The Lions followed with the three-run sixth and added another in the seventh on a pinch-hit solo homerun by Garrett Ammons, his fourth of the season.

Kelly worked a scoreless sixth and Trae Luttrell did the same in the seventh to earn his first save of the year. Hunter Newby threw 4.2 innings as the starter, allowing eight hits but working out of several jams and forced the Cougars to strand eight runners on base.

FHU looked to be on its way to a sweep after taking a 5-1 lead into game two through two innings. But Mid-Continent chased Lion starter Amos Bingham with two runs in the fourth and took the lead for good with a four-run sixth inning. Meanwhile, the Lions could only muster two hits over the last four innings off of MCU reliever Hunter Burge, who picked up the win.

Luttrell (1-2) took the loss for Freed-Hardeman after giving up three hits and four runs in one-plus innings of relief. Luttrell pitched a scoreless fifth inning but ran into trouble in the sixth, hitting two batters and allowing two hits before giving way to Derek Williford.

Arthur and Mansell each went 2-for-3 in game one while Robert Prieto was a perfect 3-for-3 in the second game.