The Freed-Hardeman University Lions (9-2) defeated the Saints of the University of St. Francis (1-6) after a walk-off homerun.  Great pitching and defense kept the Lions in the game.

Freshman hurler Wesley Culley started for the Lions.  The Saints were able to jump out to an early 3-0 lead after an error by the Lions and an RBI single. Culley was able to limit the damage and got the three outs he needed.  The Lions scratched a run across in the bottom of the inning to cut the Saints' lead down.  The score after the first was 3-1.

Culley returned to battle against the Saints.  He made quick work of the Saints, allowing just one hit in the second.  The Lions could not get anything going and did not score.

Culley was able to hold the Saints to no runs once more.  The Lions offense could not capitalize on an error by the Saints to drive a run in and the score remained 3-1.  

The freshman pitcher worked efficiently and let his defense work behind him in the fourth.  The Lions bats were still quiet in the fourth.

Culley continued to stay strong against the Saints and allowed zero runes in the fifth.  The Lions finally got something together in the fifth after a 2-RBI double from William Kelley.  The new score was 3-3.

The freshman southpaw was dealing in the sixth and collected his sixth strikeout to end the inning.  The Lions threatened to take the lead in the bottom of the inning but were not able to get a run across.

Culley exited after 7 complete innings allowing 3 runs on 7 hits, 3 walks, and 8 strikeouts.  Luis Torrez-Lopez entered for relief.  Torrez pitched very efficiently and posted a 1-2-3 inning.  The Lions threatened to take the lead but were cut down in their efforts.

Torrez exited after 1.2 innings pitched allowing 0 runs on 2 hits, 0 walks, and 2 strikeouts.  Connor Creasy came in to seal the deal and struck out the final batter in the ninth.  Down to their final out, the Lions got their timely hit.  Willam Kelley sent the fans home happy with a 2-run, no doubt moonshot.  The final score was 5-3.  Creasy received the win.

The Lions will take on Blue Mountain College Tuesday at Five Wells Field.

Article Written By:

Eli Walker

Student of Sport Administration

FHU

eli.walker@students.fhu.edu