May 8, 2022

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Avenging last night's heartbreaking loss, the (20) Freed-Hardeman University Lions bounced back to win their second game of the day, defeating the (RV) University of the Cumberlands in a 3-1 final score.

Freed-Hardeman (37-14, 19-5 MSC) was held hitless until the top of the fifth inning when the Lions scored two runs. William Kelley started the inning with a walk, advancing to second after Kent Rooklin's sacrifice bunt. The first Lion hit was a big one, with Ryan Stark singling down the right-field line to score Kelley.

Hunter Beecham then used his speed to beat out a throw to spoil what would have been an inning-ending double play. Just in case the Patriots (42-14, 18-6 MSC) forgot about his speed, Beecham promptly stole second base. In scoring position, the Lion centerfielder touched home for the second FHU run off of Mason Libla's RBI single into center to give the men in maroon a 2-0 advantage.

Cumberlands would make things interesting in their half of the fifth inning, blasting a home run off of Lion starter Evan Koob (2-0) to make FHU's lead even more uncomfortable at 2-1.

"Evan has continued to grow and develop this year as a pitcher. It's basically his first season getting consistent work on the mound in his entire career," said FHU skipper Jonathan Estes of Koob's first start of the season being in such a big game. "He's been getting better and better and we thought it was a good matchup for him with his ability to get swings and misses with his fastball and his slider. He did an outstanding job beating a really tough Patriot offense."

Freed-Hardeman added an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning with Sean Rooney knocking a two-out double into right-center field. A wild pitch moved Rooney to third base, who then easily scored thanks to Will McCall's RBI single down the left-field line. Freed-Hardmen moved into the last two and a half innings clinging to a 3-1 lead. 

After pitching six complete innings in which he struck out five Patriots, Koob gave way to Wesley Culley (1) who earned his first save of the season in three innings of relief. 

For the first time in the tournament, the Lions collected fewer than a double-digit hit total, with Libla, McCall, Rooney, Zach Sanders, and Stark each earning one hit to combine for FHU's offense.

"Our ability to win games when everybody in our lineup is contributing and our ability to win the close pitcher's duel is a testament to our guys and the fight they have," continued Estes. "It started on the mound with Koob and Culley and we made some outstanding defensive plays and got some timely hits."

Up Next

Freed-Hardeman will line it up again tomorrow, May 9, for a winner-take-all championship game against the Patriots beginning at 12:00 p.m. Both Freed-Hardeman and the University of the Cumberlands have earned automatic bids to the NAIA Baseball Championship Opening Round.

Estes looks forward to Monday's game saying, "Tomorrow will be a dog fight. We have a lot to play for and these guys are excited about the opportunity to sweep the regular season and tournament championships."