HENDERSON, Tenn. – The No. 25 Lions (15-15, 8-3 MSC) fell 4-2 to Bethel University (13-9, 10-6 MSC) in game one of a three-game conference slate on Friday night.

The Wildcats jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning after four scoreless frames from both teams, but the Lions were able to tie it up in the bottom half when Dylan Lott scored on a fielder's choice.

Bethel went on to tie and take the lead in the sixth inning while adding a fourth run in the seventh to make it 4-1. Von Watson was able to cut the Wildcat lead in half with a solo home run – his fourth of the season – in the bottom of the eighth inning, but it wouldn't go on to be enough for the Lions.

The series is scheduled to continue and end on Saturday with a doubleheader. Game one of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m.