OKLAHOMA CITY — After falling twice on Friday, the No. 25 Freed-Hardeman University Lions battled back to exit Oklahoma with an 11-7 victory over the (RV) Oklahoma City University Stars on getaway day.
Completely reshuffling the lineup, FHU's (16-3) leadoff man on Saturday was
Trace Anderson who opened up the day for the Lions with a double. The Stars hoped to erase the danger after two quick groundouts, but
Cam Madding drew a walk before three consecutive Lions were hit by pitches with
Adam Smithson and
Cade Fuller each reaching first with an RBI.
FHU's patience struck again in the top of the second after
William Kelley led off the frame with a walk, eventually scoring when
Jordan Carter was able to reach thanks to an OCU (14-8) error.
Christian Presley would later drive home
Brady Spring with an RBI single to put the Lions on top 4-0.
Oklahoma City would pick up a run in the bottom of the fourth inning, but FHU's baserunning helped to score three runs in the top of the fifth. Carter was hit by a pitch before swiping second. Madding then drew a walk before a double-steal but two runners in scoring position to set up Presley to drive them both home with a single. Fuller stole second base after reaching via an error before stealing second.
JJ Pruneau drove Fuller home with a single to right to give FHU a 7-2 edge.
AÂ two-run homer and an RBI double from the Stars pulled OCU within two runs, but the Lions saved their biggest inning for the ninth with
Cannon Daversa driving home a run with a sacrifice fly before
Ben Turner drove home two with a pinch-hit double. Anderson wrapped up the scoring with an RBI single to give the Lions the cushion they needed to pick up the 11-7 victory.
Colton Bryant (4-1) got the victory by throwing five complete innings where he struck out four. After
Seth Creasy pitched 1 2/3 innings,
Evan Koob slammed the door with his season's sixth save.
Trace Anderson led the Lions with six at-bats, collecting two hits.
Christian Presley and
Brady Spring both picked up two hits while Presley led the team with three runs batted in.
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Up Next
The Lions return to Five Wells Field for a midweek meeting with the Chargers of Briar Cliff (Iowa) University on March 4, at 5:00 p.m.
