Matt Barker, Sports Information Director
HENDERSON, Tenn. - After falling behind 3-0 in the first inning, the Freed-Hardeman Lion baseball team battled back to pick up a 5-4 victory over Park University to win the series at Carnes Field.
Connor Creasy (5-0) picked up the win for the Lions (17-12, 9-6 AMC) after working three innings of relief and allowing no hits and no earned runs while striking out four. Vincent Phillips suffered the loss for Park University (13-12, 4-11 AMC) after working 1 and 2/3 innings of relief and allowing two hits and one earned run while striking out two.
Beau Caviness picked up his sixth save of the year after working the final inning and allowing just one hit and one earned run. The save for Caviness marked the 16th save of his career, setting a new Lion Baseball record. The previous record of 15 career saves was set by Kirk Shoemate during the 2007 season.
Josh Sears led the Lions at the plate in the victory, as he went 2-for-3 on the day, which included a two-run homerun in the fifth inning to aid FHU in the comeback. Aden Campbell also had a solid day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI in the win.
The Pirates came out swinging in the top of the first inning, as they pushed three runs across, courtesy of a three-run homerun by Park Catcher David Paffenroth to give the Pirates and early 3-0 lead.
However, despite the early deficit, the Lions were not phased, as they slowly chipped away at the lead, beginning with one run in the bottom of the third inning after Griffin Siebert crossed the plate following a Collin McPherson walk to close the gap to two runs at the 3-1 mark.
However, the Lions were not finished, as they pushed two more runs across in the bottom of the fifth inning after FHU Designated Hitter Josh Sears took the first pitch of his at bat over the left field fence to even things up at three apiece following the two-run shot.
The Lions added two insurance runs to their total, as Cody Duncan crossed the plate in the bottom of the sixth inning while De'Mikyle Holmes rounded the bases following a RBI double by Aden Campbell to give FHU a two-run cushion.
The Pirates battled back in the top of the ninth inning, as they pushed one run across, but it would not be enough, as FHU closer Beau Caviness shut Park down from there to pick up his sixth save of the year.
With the win, the Lions win the series with Park University and move to 17-12 on the season and 9-6 in conference play. Park University falls to 13-12 on the season and 4-11 in AMC play with the loss.
UP NEXT: The Lions are back in action Tuesday, March 27th, as they make the trip to Blue Mountain College for a double-header in Blue Mountain, Miss. The game time for that match-up is to be determined.
