April 15, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. — In the rubber game of the series, the (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lions bounced back to top the Bethel (Tenn.) University Wildcats on the heels of Camden Madding's 4-4 day with a 10-6 victory.

It was a fast start for FHU (27-17, 14-10 MSC) after back-to-back singles from Zach Sanders and Madding led off the bottom of the second inning. Mason Libla would walk to load the bases before Anthony Jarvis's patience paid off with an RBI walk. William Kelley would follow with a floater just out of reach of the Wildcat first baseman to score Madding before Christian Presley rocketed a double down the left field line to plate Jarvis and Caleb Molo (Libla's courtesy runner) to put FHU on top 4-0.

The Bethel Wildcats (13-28, 9-15 MSC) would answer back in the top of the third inning when a single and a wild pitch set up a two-out single to set the score at 4-1. 

With Kelley leading off the bottom of the second, a grounder to the left side from Adam Smithson saw Kelley beat out a throw to third to put runners on the corners. After Smithson swiped second base, Will McCall's single up the middle of the diamond would put FHU ahead 6-1.

It was a tough inning for the FHU pitching staff in the top of the fifth inning that saw Bethel plate four runs despite not recording a hit. After a pair of walks began the inning, starter Colton Bryant punched out two Wildcats before two more walks brought in a run. Two more bases-loaded walks were surrendered by Nolan Wells before a wild pitch saw Bethel close the gap to a 6-5 score.

The Lions would add three runs in the bottom of the sixth after Smithson was hit by a pitch before swiping second and making it to third after an errant throw to second. After Sanders drew a two-out walk, the fifth-year senior attempted to initiate a delayed double steal, but without a throw to second, the stolen base put runners on second and third. Sanders' trickery on the basepaths helped the Lions tack on a run when his massive lead drew a pickoff attempt from the Wildcat pitcher. Seeing the throw to second, Smithson sped home where he beat a return throw to the plate while Sanders advanced to third. Madding's (2) fourth and final hit of the game was a big one when the junior smashed a no-doubter over the fence in right field to put the Lions on top 9-5.

After Bethel chipped away at the lead with a run in the seventh inning, a squeeze bunt from Presley would score Baron Ratliff to end the scoring and put a bow on a 10-6 final.

Pitching in three innings of relief, Luis Torres-Lopez (4-3) earned the win where the graduated student struck out three batters while surrendering one run.

Camden Madding led the Lion offense with a 4-4 day where he drove in two runs. Willam Kelley chased with three base hits including one RBI.

Up Next

With four more games in the regular season, the Lions will travel to the Magnolia State where they will battle the Toppers of Blue Mountain Christian (Miss.) University for a single game on Tuesday, April 18, at 5:00 p.m.

FHU will then host Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) College for a three-game series on April 21 at 3:00 p.m. before celebrating their seniors on Saturday, April 22, in a doubleheader with games slated to begin at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.