HENDERSON, Tenn. – The No. 9 Lions (10-8, 5-1 MSC) blew past Pikeville (4-12, 2-6 MSC) in the doubleheader on Friday, winning 13-2 and 17-3 to open the three-game series.

The bats were hot for multiple Lions in game one, headlined by Josh Sears who hit a grand slam in a 2-for-3 performance.

Will McCall went 3-for-3 with a home run and a double in his first game of 2021, Christian Busby added a bomb in the contest and Dom Pisano went 3-for-3 with a double.

Jacob Sawyers continued his strikeout tear on the season, adding 11 to his total to bring him to 60 on the season.

Game two was much of the same, with Sears adding his second home run of the day, bringing in two runs. Von Watson had a breakout game, going 3-for-4 with two two-run home runs and five RBI's.

Beau Simpson had two doubles in the contest with two RBI's, and Busby had a double in a 2-for-3 outing.

Alex Huey got the start and earned the win after five innings pitched and four strikeouts. Rob Patterson and Clay Wagoner each had a strikeout in an inning of work.

The Lions and Bears are scheduled to conclude the three-game series on Saturday at 12 noon.