Matt Barker, Sports Information Director

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Freed-Hardeman Lion baseball team started strong Friday afternoon on the road at Missouri Baptist, but could not hang on, as the Spartans handed the Lions a 12-2 loss in St. Louis, Mo.

The Lions started the game hot, as they pushed two runs across in the top of the first inning, courtesy of an RBI double by Josh Sears to score Bryce Lester and Wes Brooks to put FHU up 2-0 early.

However, the Spartans would not be phased by the early scoring run by the Lions, as they responded with one run of their own in the bottom of the first inning and two more in the second inning to take a 3-2 lead.

From there, the Lions kept the Spartans scoreless through the next three innings before MBU exploded with nine runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to pull ahead 12-2, which would be all they needed to secure the win.

Austin Steel suffered the loss for Freed-Hardeman, as he worked five innings and allowed six hits and three earned runs while striking out one. Robby Brewster picked up the win for Missouri Baptist after working all seven innings of the game and allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out three.

With the loss, the Lions fall to 15-11 on the season and 7-5 in conference play. Missouri Baptist moves to 14-10 on the season and 6-2 in AMC play with the win.

UP NEXT: The Lions wrap up their three-game series against Missouri Baptist Saturday with a double-header slated for 12:00 PM in St. Louis, Mo.