LAKELAND, Fla. — Beginning their 2024 season, the No. 20 Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions softball team saw the Keiser (Fla.) University Seahawks score six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, enough to cause FHU to fall in the season opener 6-3.

The Lady Lions (0-1) took advantage of five Keiser errors, first in the top of the second inning after Brooklyn Jimmerson and Chloe Carter both reached by way of infield errors. Brinley Cousar would then knock a single past second base, enough for Jimmerson to tap home for the first Lady Lion run of the year.

Identical to the second inning, the first two Lady Lion batters reached base due to errors by the Keiser (1-0) infield. Karli Quillin would use her speed to streak from second to score and credit Myleah Hardy with a sacrifice fly to take a 2-0 lead.

The Seahawks would then zero in on FHU's pitches, tallying five hits and drawing a pair of bases-loaded walks. A two-run double put a cap on the KU half inning, with the Lady Lions trailing 6-2 after five complete innings.

Natalie Gilmore would score the final FHU run in the top of the seventh inning after Cousar lifted a sacrifice fly for her second RBI of the afternoon, but the Lady Lions could muster no more runs, falling 6-3.

Chloe Winters (0-1), Kylee Brown, and Katelyn Bradford would all make appearances in the game, with Winters striking out one in the start.

Brinley Cousar led FHU's offense with two hits and as many RBI. Chloe Carter began her FHU career with a two-hit day.