Box Score February 28, 2023
by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director
HENDERSON, Tenn. — The (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lions pitching staff bounced back after being battered last weekend with a one-run, two-hit, performance. Offensively, FHU spread out their run in a 6-1 win over the Talladega (Ala.) College Tornadoes.
The Lions (10-8, 0-3 MSC) started their batting turn by seeing leadoff man Christian Presley being hit by a pitch. Zach Sanders moved Presley to third base with a single to left field. Sean Rooney would ground out in his first at-bat, but drove in the Lions' first run.
The Lions began making contact on the Tornadoes' (8-6-1, 0-0 SSAC) starting pitcher in the second frame with Anthony Jarvis posting a one-out double before stealing third base. That extra 90 feet proved unnecessary when Baron Ratliff's (3) two-run homer put the Lions ahead 3-0.
FHU added a pair of runs in the top of the third when Jarvis (2) led things off with a solo shot before Dawson Massengale shot a single up the middle. Presley tallied his first hit of the day to move Massengale into scoring position, setting up Sanders to single home the runner to put FHU on top 5-0.
Presley added to his hit total with a leadoff single in the bottom of the FHU seventh inning. Moving to second after a pitch hit Sanders, Presley tapped home thanks to Will McCall's single into right field. Talladega cracked the run column with an RBI single in the top of the eighth inning to settle the score on a 6-1 final score.
Colton Bryant earned the start, finishing his day one out short of qualifying for the win. Bryant allowed one hit while striking out five in his 4 2/3 scoreless outing. Seth Creasy (1-0) collected the win in relief, tossing 2 1/3 innings while striking out two.
Three Lions posted multiple hits with Anthony Jarvis, Christian Presley, and Zach Sanders all collecting two hits.
Up Next
The Lions will return to Mid-South Conference play with a trip to Pikeville, Kentucky, where they await the Bears of the University of Pikeville (Ky.) for a three-game series consisting of a single game on Friday, March 3, and a doubleheader on Saturday, March 4.
