Taylor Hodges, Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. – Lions baseball (21-6, 12-2 AMC) completed their third sweep in conference play after defeating Hannibal-LaGrange (7-13, 3-10 AMC) after defeating the Trojans 6-4 in game one on Saturday before routing them 13-3 in game two.

After going down 1-0 in the top of the first inning, the Lions got that one run back plus insurance as they scored four runs in the bottom half of the opening inning.

Josh Sears continued his tear by hitting a two-run shot with one out for the first two runs, followed by a solo shot by Collin McPherson on following at-bat. Will McCall stepped up to the plate two batters later and hit a solo home run of his own to cap off the monster inning.

The Lions extended the lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the third when McCall hit his second home run of the day, third of the series after hitting one over the wall on Friday night. The Trojans were able to cut the lead to two in the top of the fifth, followed by another run to make it 5-4 in the top of the sixth, but the Lions all but put the game away in the bottom half with a single run of their own.

Bryce Lester got on base with one out, and De'Mikyle Holmes was able to bring him around all the way from first after hitting a one-out triple.

Austin Steel got the start on the mound and earned the win after going six complete innings and striking out four batters.

Landon Sewell earned the save after pitching the sixth inning, blanking the Trojans and recording the final three outs.

In game two of the day and three of the series, the Lions went down in the first inning again, but this time by two runs. The Trojan lead didn't last long, though, as the Lions were able to get both runs back in the bottom half of the inning.

The Lions were able to load the bases after a single by Lester, a bunt for a hit by Collin Baber and an intentional walk issued to McPherson. Holmes walked on the ensuing at-bat, plating Lester, and McCall was able to bring in Baber on a sacrifice fly to tie the game.

Freed-Hardeman doubled its lead in the bottom of the third after Holmes hit a two-run home run with no outs to make it a 4-2 game.

Hannibal-LaGrange scored its final run of the game in the top of the fourth inning to make it 4-3, but then it was all Lions from then on, as they were able to score nine runs in the next three innings to end the game early via mercy rule.

Jacob Sawyers got the start and earned the win after six innings pitched and seven strikeouts. Tyrek White finished the game in the top of the seventh to complete the mercy rule.

The Lions will take on Bethel University in a double-header at home on Tuesday, with the game scheduled to start at 3 p.m.