Matt Barker, Sports Information Director
HENDERSON, Tenn. - The Freed-Hardeman Lion baseball team completed a sweep of Central Baptist College Saturday afternoon on Senior Day, as they picked up a 3-2 victory in the opening game and followed it up with a 9-5 victory in the nightcap to bring their current win streak to nine games.
Prior to Game 1 of Saturday's double-header, the FHU Baseball team honored the senior members of the team. In total, 11 seniors were honored for their contributions to the team.
Connor Creasy (8-0) picked up the win in the opening game of the day after working two solid innings of relief and allowing just two hits and no earned runs while striking out two batters. Jared Humphry got the start for the Lions (34-13, 19-6 AMC) and pitched a gem, allowing just three hits and two earned runs in five innings of work.
Bryce Lester led the Lions at the plate in the opener, as he went 2-for-3, including a triple and three scored runs to propel FHU in the victory. Aden Campbell also found success at the plate, as he went 1-for-2 on the day with a double and two RBI in the win.
The offense came early in the opener, as both teams pushed one run across in the first inning. Central Baptist catcher Austin Kuchinski got the Mustangs on the board in the top of the first inning, as he opened the game in the leadoff spot with a double down the left field line. Jamal Washington, pinch runner for Kuchinski, crossed the plate later in the inning following a wild pitch by Humphry to give CBC an early 1-0 lead.
However, despite falling behind early, the Lions were not phased, as they pushed one run of their own across in the bottom half of the first inning. Aden Campbell got the scoring drive started for the Lions, as he connected on an RBI double to right field to score Lester to even things up at one apiece.
The Lions added another run in the bottom of the third inning, as Bryce Lester crossed the plate once again following an RBI single by Darcy Moore to put FHU up 2-1 midway through the game.
The Mustangs (22-26, 13-17 AMC); however, would not let the Lions run away with it, as they came right back in the top of the sixth inning. Baker Wilson got the inning started for CBC after being hit by a pitch before Connor Creasy entered the game in relief of Humphry. Connor Tatum, pinch runner for Wilson, scored later in the inning following an RBI single by Trae BoBo to even things up at two apiece.
However, the Lions would not be denied, as they closed the game out strong in the bottom of the seventh inning, highlighted by a triple by Bryce Lester to open the inning. From there, Central Baptist intentionally walked Wes Brooks and Josh Sears to load the bases and bring up Aden Campbell, who was hit by a pitch to bring in the game winning run in the 3-2 win.
The battle continued for both teams in the nightcap, as the final game of the series saw a tight match-up in the early going. However, as they have done all season long, the Lions were able to pull away for the 9-5 victory. Jacob Sawyers (5-1) picked up the win for FHU in the nightcap, as he worked 6 and 2/3 innings and allowed just 10 hits and three earned runswhile striking out six.
The Lions got their scoring drive started first with one run in the bottom of the first inning following an RBI single up the middle by Josh Sears to put FHU up 1-0 early.
The Mustangs; however, clawed back in it in the top of the second inning as Charley Harber crossed the plate following an RBI single by Percy Arnold to even things up at one apiece early on in the match-up.
Central Baptist found some more offense in the top part of the third inning, as they pushed one run across to take a 2-1 lead. Austin Kuchinski got the inning started for the Mustangs after reaching on a throwing error by Lester at shortstop. Ku'Ron Summons, courtesy runner for Kuchinsi, scored later in the inning following an RBI single to left field by L'Donta Howard to give CBC their first lead of the game.
The Lions climbed back in the game in the bottom of the fourth inning, as six runs crossed the plate to break the game open. De'Mikyle Holmes crossed the plate first in the inning after reaching on a fielder's choice and advancing to third on an RBI double by Siebert. Holmes made his way home following a sacrifice fly by Quinn Frost to even things up at two apiece midway through the game.
FHU added to their lead in the fourth inning, as Wes Brooks connected on an RBI single to right field to score Siebert and courtesy runner Cody Duncan to give the Lions a 4-2 lead. Sears and Campbell capped off the scoring drive in the inning, as Sears connected on an RBI double down the left field line to score Lester and Brooks while Campbell pounded out an RBI triple to score Sears and give FHU a 7-2 lead.
The Mustangs got one run back in the top part of the fifth inning, as Austin Kuchinski connected on a solo homerun over the right field fence to pull CBC within four runs at the 7-3 mark.
The Lions added two more runs to their total in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Sears connected on an RBI single to left field to score Lester and Duncan to put FHU up six runs at the 9-3 mark.
Central Baptist pushed one more run across in the top of the eighth inning, but it would not be enough as the Lions held on for the 9-5 victory to bring their current win streak to nine games.
With the sweep, the Lions move to 34-13 on the season and 19-6 in conference play. Central Baptist College falls to 22-26 on the season and 13-17 in AMC play with the sweep.
UP NEXT: The Lions are back in action Tuesday, April 24th, as they make the short trip to NCAA Division II Lane College for a 5:00 PM match-up in Jackson, Tenn.
