April 10, 2023

by Chris Goodrich, Baseball Intern

PULASKI, Tenn. — With the series evened up one to one, the (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lions head to victory with an 8-5 win over the University of Tennessee Southern Firehawks. The Lions outhit the FireHawks 14 hits to eight.

The Lions (24-19, 12-9 MSC) started the ballgame with a quick start. Christian Presley led off with a single. Following a wild pitch and being moved over to the third base, Will McCall brought home Presley with an RBI groundout to help the Lions take a 1-0 lead. Fast-forwarding to the bottom of the sixth inning, the Firehawks (27-12, 12-8 MSC) made some noise and took a 3-1 lead over the Lions.

However, the Lions did not take that lightly as William Kelley led off with a single to help get the rally started for the Lions. Following his at-bat, Adam Smithson tacked on another single to have runners at first and second base. With Presley at the plate, he singled to bring home another run to make the score 3-2 as the Firehawks still lead; however, following that at-bat, the Lions tie the ballgame up 3-3 on a wild pitch by the FireHawks pitcher. Cam Madding helped get the Lions the lead with an RBI single to bring home Presley to help the Lions jump out to a 4-3 lead.

In the top of the eighth inning, the Lions looked to add to their lead. Sean Rooney led off the inning with a double to get things rolling. Following a sacrifice bunt by Zach Sanders, Rooney made his way over to the third base. With a runner on third with one out, Trace Anderson entered as a pinch hitter and made the most of the opportunity as he hit an RBI single to help the Lions jump ahead 5-3. Onto the bottom of the eighth inning, the FireHawks even everything up 5-5.

The Lions were looking to take the lead in the top of the ninth, and they did so. Smithson led off the top of the inning with a single with Presley following in his footsteps with a single of his own. Then, with a wild pitch by the FireHawks pitcher, the Lions moved up to runners on second and third base. With McCall at the plate, he helped the Lions jump out front to a 7-5 lead with a two-run single. After advancing to second on the throw, Rooney brought him home on an RBI single to stamp the Lions an 8-5 victory.

In the starting role, Colton Bryant was excellent today, pitching six innings allowing five hits, and striking out six batters. Nolan Wells was first in relief, pitching one and two-thirds innings while allowing two hits and striking out three batters. Seth Creasy (3-1) wins for the Lions as he pitched one-third innings, allowing one hit and striking out one batter.

Up Next

The Lions will be back in action tomorrow, Tuesday, April 11, as they will take on the Faulkner (Ala.) University Eagles in a doubleheader. The game is set to start at 2:00 at Five Wells Field.