KINGSPORT, Tenn. — The Freed-Hardeman University Lions earned an at-large bid to the 2024 NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round where they were sent to East Tennessee where they faced the No. 6 Warriors of Webber International (Fla.) University. The Lions left seven runners stranded in a 3-0 loss.
In both the top of the second and top of the third innings, the fourth-seeded Lions (30-19-1), the Lions saw their time at the plate cut short with double plays. Meanwhile in the bottom of the second, Webber International broke the ice with a solo home run.
Top-seeded WIU (43-12) added a second run in the bottom of the fourth inning before the Lions had their best chance in the top of the sixth. After a set of errors to lead off the inning allowed
Adam Smithson to sacrifice his at-bat to move the tying run into scoring position, the Warrior pitcher struck out the next two batters to end the threat.
A one-out homer in the bottom of the seventh gave WIU their third run of the game.
Christian Presley led off the ninth with a single, but a flyout and the Warriors' third double play ended the game 3-0.
Colton Huntt (7-6) punched out seven batters, increasing FHU's single-season strikeout record to 114 in the loss.
The Lions tallied four hits: one each from
Cam Madding,
Christian Presley,
Adam Smithson, and
Brady Spring.
Up Next
With the 2024 season on the line, the Lions will line it up against Columbia (Mo.) College on May 14 at 9:00 a.m.
