Taylor Hodges, Sports Information Director

LEWISTON, Idaho – After delays pushed the game back by over three hours, the Lions (47-16) ultimately fell to the hosts Lewis-Clark State (35-13-1) 10-5 after nearly surmounting what would've been an incredible comeback.

It was a first inning to forget for the Lions and American Midwest Conference Pitcher of the Year Alex Huey, as the defending runner-up gave up six runs before recording their first out of the game.

Huey was replaced by Austin Steel in the opening frame, and the sophomore was able to strike out the side to get out of the monster inning by the Warriors.

Steel went on to strike out three more batters in the second inning after giving up a leadoff home run to Kyle Callahan. Callahan would go on to go 5-for-5 in the game, one hit shy from tying the World Series record for hits in a game.

Steel struck out his seventh straight batter in the top of the third inning, before shutting the Warriors out in the third frame. Callahan would hit his second leadoff home run of the game, though, to start the fourth inning and give his team an 8-0 lead.

It was in the fourth inning where the Lions started to make their run at a comeback.

It started with a three-run shot by freshman catcher James Dodd, who skied one over the left-field wall for his first long ball of the season and his career.

Freed-Hardeman would go on to score two more unanswered, first in the bottom of the fifth when De'Mikyle Holmes hit a two-out double that plated Zach Sanders, who earlier in the inning reached on an error.

The Lions would make it 8-5 in the bottom of the seventh when Josh Sears hit an RBI double, allowing Sanders to score his second run of the game.

Steel was replaced to start the eighth inning after going seven innings and striking out nine batters on 114 pitches. Jacob Sawyers came on in relief and did a good job at holding the Warriors at bay, but the Lions offense was unable to add to their scoring streak.

Landon Sewell came in for Sawyers in the top of the ninth, but two runs were scored – both charged to Sawyers – that extended the Warriors lead back to five.

The Lions went down in order in the bottom of the ninth to close out the game.

Freed-Hardeman will go on to face off against the No. 3 seed Southeastern – who fell 3-2 to St. Thomas – in a rematch of last year's World Series title game. The game will be held at 1:30 p.m. Central Time.

The Fire went on to defeat the Lions 6-3 to win the World Series in their previous matchup.