March 21, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. — A rainy start to Tuesday's midweek meeting between the (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lions and the Blue Mountain Christian (Miss.) University Toppers did not dampen the FHU spirits as the home team's fast start helped lead to a 9-2 victory.

After Christian Presley, Zach Sanders, and Will McCall drew straight bases on balls for FHU (17-11, 6-6 MSC), the BMCU pitcher finally found the strike zone. Unfortunately for him, Sean Rooney squared up the pitch and sent a double careening down the right-field line to score both Presley and Sanders. Then back-to-back groundouts from Mason Libla and Baron Ratliff drove in McCall and Rooney to put the Lions on top 4-0 after the first inning.

Chasing Blue Mountain Christian's (19-10, 4-5 SSAC) starter to being the second frame, Rooney struck for the second time in as many at-bats. After McCall drew his second walk of the evening, Rooney deposited a single into right field to score McCall as the Lions' fifth run. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Rooney added another RBI after his groundout brought home Presley, who reached earlier with an infield single. The early fireworks were enough to cruise through the rest of the contest before a seventh-inning homer put the Toppers on the board, and an RBI double set the scoreboard to read a 6-2 final in favor of Freed-Hardeman.

Cam Jennings (2-0) took advantage of his first start, tossing five complete innings of a one-hit shutout. The lefty sophomore struck out six Toppers while walking two. 

Sean Rooney went 2-4 from the plate, driving in four runs while scoring one himself. Baron Ratliff had the only other multi-hit day while joining Mason Libla with lone RBIs.

Up Next

The Lions return to Mid-South Conference action with a trip to Campbellsville (Ky.) University where they will face the Tigers for a three-game set beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 24, before wrapping up with a Saturday doubleheader with games at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.