Matt Barker, Sports Information Director
LEWISTON, IDAHO - After trailing by three runs early, the Freed-Hardeman Lion Baseball team orchestrated a late rally Sunday afternoon to take down two-seeded Georgia Gwinnett College by a final tally of 5-3 at the NAIA Avista World Series in Lewiston, Idaho.
After giving up three early runs, FHU starter Jared Humphry (8-3) regrouped to pitch a gem, where he allowed just five hits while striking out four batters. Beau Caviness worked the final two innings of relief and allowed no hits and no earned runs while striking out four batters for his 17th save of the season.
“I thought Humphry did an outstanding job of recovering after a little bit of a shaky start to give our offense a chance to figure out the pitcher,” said Jonathan Estes, head coach for the FHU Baseball team. “We've got a lot of experience on this team just because we talk so much about controlling the controllables and concentrating on the process. The guys did a nice job rallying those last couple innings.”
Georgia Gwinnett (48-11) struck first in the match-up, as they pushed two runs across in the top of the first inning followed by another run in the second inning to take an early 3-0 lead. Nick Barnes drove in the two runs for GGC in the first inning while an RBI double by Jordan Tylski in the second inning drove in Brandon Frazier to put the Grizzlies up 3-0.
However, despite the early deficit, the Lions (45-14) found their stride in the bottom of the fifth inning, as they plated three runs to even things up at three apiece. FHU put together five straight base hits in the inning, including RBI's by Bryce Lester, Wes Brooks and Josh Sears to aid in the rally.
The Lions added two more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, as they relied on a trio of Georgia Gwinnett miscues to take their first lead of the game. Bryce Lester scored the first run in the inning for FHU after reaching on a misplayed grounder by Grizzly first baseman Alex Garland and scoring off a wild pitch by Matthew Swain.
Designated Hitter Josh Sears scored the other run in the inning for the Lions after reaching on an intentional walk and scoring on a sacrifice fly by Aden Campbell to put FHU up 5-3, which was all they needed for the victory.
With the win, the Lions move to 45-14 on the season and advance to play tournament host Lewis and Clark State (Idaho) Tuesday at 8:30 PM C.S.T.
