Box Score HENDERSON, Tenn. - Five errors plagued the Freed-Hardeman Lions in the first game of a double-header with Mid-Continent (Ky.) University, but FHU recovered to win the second game to split the first two games of a weekend series with the Cougars.
FHU (22-12, 8-3) got off to a good start in the first game scoring twice in the first inning, but a two-out error in the second inning led to a pair of unearned runs for MCU.
Three more errors in the fourth and fifth innings led to five additional runs for the Cougars, while the Lions were unable to provide an offensive answer against Mid-Continent starter Tyler Hall.
Andy Southard (7-1) took his first loss of the year, allowing seven runs - two earned - over 4.1 innings of work.
FHU threatened in the sixth and seventh innings but stranded two runners in each.
Game two was a different story as the defense tightened up and the Lions scored 10 runs behind starter
Hunter Newby (3-3).
Evan Mansell had a big game at the plate with a two-run single and three-run home run (5). He also hit a solo shot in the first game.
Robert Prieto went 4-for-4 in the second game while
Jesse Hykes and
Ben Ihde each had three hits.
The Lions maintain their one-game lead in the conference standings over No. 7 Cumberland (Tenn.) University, which opens a three-game series with Bethel (Tenn.) University today. FHU finishes its series with the Cougars on Saturday at noon.
Roberto Ferguson (3-0, 3.82 ERA) is the probable starter.