The Freed-Hardeman University Lions defeated Bryan College after 13 innings by a score of 4-3.  Great defense and stellar pitching kept the Lions in the game long enough for the bats to get rolling.

The Lions were unable to get anything going in the top half of the 1st inning after a strikeout and a pair of weak contacts.  In the bottom part of the inning, Bryan scored the first run of the game after a lead-off double to right field and a sacrifice fly.  Lions hurler Colton Huntt was able to limit the damage to only 1 run while stranding two runners on base.  Bryan led 1-0 at the end of the first.

In the top of the second, it seemed as if the Lions were going to score after Zach Sanders singled up the middle and advanced on an error from the Bryan Center Fielder.  However, the team could not scratch the run across the plate as the next three hitters went down on strikeouts.  Huntt was able to hold off Bryan, working ahead in the count and settling down from the first inning.  Bryan still held a 1-0 lead.

Hunter Beecham lead off the top of the third inning with a full-count bomb over the left field wall, tying the game 1-1.  This would be the only Freed-Hardeman run of the inning.  Huntt was able to post another shutout inning with a key 6-4-3 double play made by Kent Rooklin, Sanders, and Sean Rooney.

The Lions were cut down twice trying to steal second and were unable to keep things rolling in the fourth.  Huntt threw his first 1-2-3 inning while collecting two strikeouts.

In the top of the fifth, the Lions were able to get a couple runners on base, but were unsuccessful in their attempts to drive them in.  Bryan was able to score one more run off Huntt. He exited the game after pitching 4 ⅔ innings, allowing only 2 runs on 6 hits, 3 walks, and 3 strikeouts.  The next arm to toe the rubber would be Luis Torrez-Lopez and he would go on to get the final out of the inning.

The Lions went down quietly in the top of the sixth after three easy pop ups.  In the bottom half of the inning, the team was unable to prevent Bryan from plating a run and fell behind 3-1.

The Freed-Hardeman University Lions clawed their way back from a 3-1 deficit to tie the game 3-3 in the top of the seventh.  Ryan Stark led the inning off by ripping a double down the line then scoring on an RBI double from Anthony Jarvis.  Pinch running for Jarvis was Adam Smithson who scored on an RBI hit from pinch hitter Christian Presley.  After giving up a lead off single in the bottom of the inning, Torrez-Lopes responded by striking out the next three batters to keep the score 3-3.

The Lions threatened to score more runs in the eighth, but were unable to get any runners across the plate.  The bottom half of the inning started loud for the Lions as William Kelley was able to hose the Bryan runner going to second on a ball hit to the wall.  Torrez-Lopez exited the game after 3 innings, allowing only 1 run on 4 hits, 1 walk, and 4 strikeouts.  Conner Creasy was the next pitcher for the Lions.  He picked up a quick strikeout to end the inning.

Neither team was able to score in the ninth and the teams were able to play some free baseball.  Both teams struggled to get anything going offensively the next two innings.  Creasy battled against Bryan's pitcher to see who would be the first to give.  Creasy worked quickly and effectively, keeping a fast pace to keep the hitters' rhythm off.  Great defense and stellar pitching kept the game 3-3, and the game was postponed until the next day due to darkness.

After the night delay, the teams resumed play in the 12th inning.  The Lions went down quietly once again going down 1-2-3.  Creasy was sent back out the next day to pitch for the Lions.  Bryan threatened to score but a great bunt defensive play kept them at bay.  Creasy got the Lions back into the dugout for another inning of free baseball.

The Lions finally scratched a run across to take a 4-3 lead over Bryan.  Stark perfectly executed a bunt with two runners on to load the bases.  Then Rooney shot an RBI single to right field to drive in the go-ahead run.  Creasy delivered and posted a 1-2-3 inning to seal the win for the Lions.

Creasy received the win for Game 1 after pitching a terrific 5 ⅓ innings, allowing 0 runs on 2 hits, 1 walk, and 5 strikeouts.  The Lions will play the remaining two games of the series later today.

Article Written By:

Eli Walker

Student of Sport Administration

FHU

eli.walker@students.fhu.edu