Box Score HENDERSON, Tenn. - The Freed-Hardeman Lions opened conference play on a positive note, taking a double-header from Martin Methodist (Tenn.) College on Saturday afternoon, 5-2 and 5-4.

FHU (12-6, 2-0) got strong pitching performances from Roberto Ferguson and Andy Southard as Ferguson went the distance in game one and Southard entered in relief in the first inning of game two to finish out the contest as the Lions came back from an early 3-0 deficit.

Ferguson (2-0) scattered seven hits over seven innings, allowing two runs with both came in the sixth inning. Those runs tied the game at a 2-2, but FHU retook the lead in the bottom of the inning on a two-run double by Joe Mike and an RBI single by Kirkland Wheeler.

Wheeler also accounted for the Lions' first run of the game with a solo home run (1) to lead off the third inning. Mike's sacrifice fly in the fourth scored Evan Mansell and gave FHU a 2-0 lead.

In game two, the RedHawks chased Freed-Hardeman starter Daniel Wallace in the first inning after he issued three walks and hit two batters. Southard (5-0) entered with one out and limited the damage, then shut down MMC for the next six innings allowing just one run the rest of the way.

Meanwhile, the Lions got two runs in the second and fourth innings to take the lead. Hykes got things started with a solo home run (3) to lead off the second, and Kyle Dearing later drove home Mike with a sacrifice fly.

Two innings later, Jake Todd's RBI double tied the game and Dearing's single gave the Lions the lead.

FHU added an insurance run in the fifth on an RBI single by Jake Francis.

It turned out to be a big one, as the RedHawks got a run in the sixth after a leadoff double by Ryan Jett. However, Southard retired the next six hitters to pick up his fifth win of the season.

The series concludes with a nine-inning game tomorrow at noon. Hunter Newby (1-2, 2.78 ERA) is the likely starter for the Lions.