February 10, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. — Leading by eight runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, Sean Rooney's two-run blast ended the game early for the (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lions, run-ruling the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) Cougars 10-0.

It was the bottom of the order that did the early damage for the Lions (4-3) with Mason Libla (1) shooting his season's first home run over the right-field fence in the bottom of the third inning to put the Lions up 1-0. Dawson Massengale would follow with a single to right field but was unable to wrap around and score.

Massegnale (1) made up for it in the bottom of the fifth inning by leading off the frame with a solo shot to right field. Zach Sanders was inches away from back-to-back jacks, but the Cougars (0-1) were able to keep the ball in the yard with a robbery in right field.

After 6 1/3 innings of work, Luis Torres-Lopez (2-0) left to a standing ovation, allowing just four hits while striking out a career-high seven batters in the win.

Christian Presley led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a single before swiping second base. After Libla drew a walk, his courtesy runner, Adam Smithson, made it to second base when Massengale perfectly placed a bunt and loaded the bases by beating the throw. Sanders kept the carousel moving with an RBI single to right field before Will McCall found a gap in right field for a two-run single to plate Massengale and Smithson to put FHU on top 5-0.

To home half of the eighth inning started with Baron Ratliff leading off with a single, eventually wrapping around to score on Massengale's sacrifice fly. McCall kept his offensive production strong, lacing a two-run double into right field to put the Lions up 8-0. Rooney (1) would shoot a fastball over the fence in left field to walk off the Cougars and put an end to a five-run eighth inning.

Will McCall went 3-5 from the plate, driving in four of the Lions' 10 runs. Dawson Massengale followed with a 3-3 afternoon, scoring twice and driving in as many. McCall and Massengale teamed up to record six of FHU's 13 hits, while Mason Libla chipped in with two hits.