Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MCKENZIE, Tenn. - In a weekend series that is a battle for the top spot in the TranSouth Conference, the Freed-Hardeman Lions delivered the first blow.

Evan Mansell's two-run double in the top of the seventh inning proved to be the difference as the No. 21 Lions held off the No. 18 Bethel (Tenn.) Wildcats, 6-5, in the first of a three-game series.

The two teams entered the day in a virtual tie for first place in the conference standings. FHU held a half-game lead over the Wildcats in the win-loss column, but Bethel was slightly ahead in winning percentage.

After today, the Lions took hold of the top spot once again, but they will need a split or a sweep in tomorrow's double-header to stay in first place.

Freed-Hardeman (24-12, 10-3) took control of the game early with two runs in the second and fourth innings and held a 4-0 lead in the middle of the fourth. But the Wildcats responded with two runs in the bottom of the fourth and a three-run sixth gave them the lead.

The damage in the sixth had the potential to be worse as the first four batters of the inning reached base against FHU starter Andy Southard (8-1), one off of an error and three off of hits - the last of which was a two-run single by Chris Cain that put Bethel (19-13, 7-3) on top.

Southard, though, retired the next three batters, and one inning later Mansell chased Bethel starter Joey Wilder with his go-ahead double.

From there, three Lion pitchers helped preserve the lead as Drew Suttles, Charlie Overturf and Amos Bingham combined for three shutout innings. Bingham retired three straight batters in the ninth to get his second save of the year.

Mansell also added a solo home run (6) in the second inning and Joe Mike hit a two-run shot (2) in the fourth. Mansell, Mike and Justin Mackey each had two hits.

The series concludes with a double-header on Saturday beginning at 1:00 PM.