Taylor Hodges, Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. – The Lions (19-6, 10-2 AMC) won their second straight game by mercy rule after defeating Hannibal-LaGrange (7-11, 3-8 AMC) 12-1 in game one of a three-game American Midwest Conference series on Friday afternoon.

The Lions went ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly by Collin McPherson that brought Bryce Lester home, but the game was tied in the very next inning thanks to a solo shot by Edwin Betancourt with two outs.

That would be the only run the Trojans would score, and the Lions offense would get hot in the bottom of the second inning, scoring four runs.

The first run came across when Zach Sanders scored after Lester reached first on a walk with bases loaded. The next run scored on a fielder's choice, getting Collin Baber out at first, but scoring Hunter Beecham. The final two runs of the inning came across the plate on a two-out, two-run single from Josh Sears.

The Lions added two more runs in both the bottom of the third and fourth innings. The first two came off the bat of Will McCall, who hit the two-run shot, plating De'Mikyle Holmes. The two runs in the fourth inning were scored by Christian Busby on a fielder's choice, and Baber on an error by the catcher.

The Lions scored their final three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning when Sears hit a three-run homerun over the centerfield wall, his sixth round tripper of the season.

Freshman Alex Huey started on the mound, throwing the complete game and striking out seven batters, conceding just the one earned run.

Freed-Hardeman and Hannibal-LaGrange will continue and finish the three-game series on Saturday in a double-header, starting at 12 noon.