Matt Barker, Sports Information Director
LEWISTON, IDAHO - In perhaps one of the toughest environments they have played in all season long, the Freed-Hardeman Lion Baseball team held on for a 5-4 victory Monday evening to take down tournament host Lewis and Clark State (Idaho) in the NAIA Avista World Series in Lewiston, Idaho.
With over 4,000 in attendance, a majority of which were in support of hometown favorite Lewis and Clark State, the Lions (46-14) battled the entire way to notch their third straight win in the World Series.
Jacob Sawyers (8-1) picked up the win for the Lions, as he worked eight solid innings and allowed nine hits and four earned runs while striking out seven batters. The four runs allowed by Sawyers all came in the first inning, but from that point forward the Munford, Tenn. native was solid on the mound.
FHU Closer Beau Caviness picked up his 18th save of the season after working the final inning of relief and leaving two Warrior runners stranded to secure the victory. De'Mikyle Holmes led the Lions (46-14) at the plate in the match-up, as he went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI while Kaimana Ancog followed suit with a multi-hit performance of his own while driving in one run.
“For our offense to come back and make a statement after they just got four runs on us in the first inning was big,” said Jonathan Estes, head coach for the FHU Baseball team. “Our offense; however, returned the favor and gave Jacob some confidence because he knew his offense was going to be behind him tonight. It's a team game and when one person has a bad inning or bad at-bat we pick each other up.”
The first inning was the deciding factor in the game, as both teams found their bats early. Lewis and Clark State struck first with four runs in the top half of the inning following a grand slam by Kyle Callahan to put the Warriors up 4-0.
However, as they have done all season long, the Lions battled back and pushed five runs of their own across in the bottom half of the first inning. FHU capitalized on a slow start from Lewis and Clark starter Tyler Burch, who walked the first three Lion batters he faced.
FHU shortstop Bryce Lester scored the first run in the inning for the Lions following an RBI single by Aden Campbell to pull FHU within three runs at the 4-1 mark. From there, Holmes brought the Lions back with authority, as he pounded out an RBI double to right field to score two more runs and pull FHU within one run.
The Lions completed their scoring drive moments later, as Ancog connected on an RBI single up the middle to score Aden Campbell to even things up at four apiece. A bobble in center field by Raymond Pedrina would allow Holmes to cross the plate from third base and give FHU the eventual game winning run.
With the win, the Lions move to 46-14 on the season and advance to play Southeastern (Fla.) Tuesday evening at 8:30 PM C.S.T.
