The Freed-Hardeman University Lions (5-2) run ruled the University of St. Francis (1-3) in eight innings Sunday afternoon by a score of 12-2.  The Lions offense poured it on the Saints throughout the entire game including several doubles and homeruns.

Freshman Wesley Culley got the start on the mound for the Lions.  Culley worked very efficiently and posted a 1-2-3 inning.  The Lions did not score and stranded one runner in the bottom of the first.

Culley pitched quickly in the second and boasted another 3 up 3 down inning.  The Lions jumped ahead 1-0 thanks to a solo moonshot from William Kelley.  That would be the only run scored in the second.

The freshman pitcher worked ahead in the count and continued his stellar performance in the third.  The Lions offense rallied to score 4 more insurance runs.  Sean Rooney hit an RBI triple, Will McCall smashed an RBI double, and Ryan Stark torched an RBI double.  

Culley's bid for perfection ended in the top of the fourth after surrendering a single to center field.  The Saints then scored 2 runs on 3 hits in the fourth.  The Lions answered back with another run from a sacrifice fly from Rooney.

Culley exited in the top of the fifth after pitching a great 4 ⅓ innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, 1 walk, and 4 strikeouts.  Mason Morgan entered in for relief.  Morgan held the Saints to no runs.  Hunter Beecham extended the Lions lead with a 3-run bomb over the left field wall.  The score after the fifth was 9-2.

The Scots threatened to chip away in the sixth but the Lions defense rolled a key 6-4-3 double play that ended the inning.  Kelley mashed yet another homerun for 2 RBIs.  The new score after six was 11-2.

Cam Jennings entered in for relief in the seventh.  The defense made plays behind him to hold the Saints to zero runs.  The Lions offense could not get anything going in the bottom part of the inning.

Hayden Campbell entered to pitch in the eighth.  The Saints threatened to score but Campbell was able to get the outs he needed to work out of the jam.  The Lions were able to complete the run-rule after a sacrifice fly from Rooney.  The final score after 8 was 12-2.  Morgan received the win.

The Lions will be back in action Friday at Five Wells Field against Culver-Stockton.

Article Written By:

Eli Walker

Student of Sport Administration

FHU

eli.walker@students.fhu.edu