HENDERSON — On Senior Day the Freed-Hardeman University Lions got a walkoff home run in game one for a 3-1 victory before the (RV) Cumberland University Phoenix spoiled the finale with an 19-1 final in game two.
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Game 1
(RV) Cumberland - 1
Freed-Hardeman - 3
The first game was a classic pitcher's duel with the Lions (28-17, 9-5 MSC) and the Phoenix completing scoreless innings until
Dawson Massengale to advantage of a payoff pitch to rip a solo home run to left and give the Lions an early lead.
The Phoenix (30-14-1, 10-4 MSC) knotted the game in the top of the sixth inning with a one-out solo homer. In the bottom of the seventh inning Massengale opened the frame with an infield single. The Lions only needed one run to win the game, but
Dalton Bonner smacked a two-run home run to left to end the game in style.
FHU combined for seven hits in the victory with
Cade Fuller joining
Dawson Massengale with two hits.
Cooper Johnson punched out 10 batters in four innings of scoreless effort in a no-decision before
Colton Bryant (2-1) was on the hill in the top of the seventh to record the victory.
Scoring SummaryÂ
Bottom 2
Dawson Massengale turned on a payoff pitch and sent it over the wall in left for a solo homer.
FHU 1, CU 0
Top 6
The Phoenix leveled the score with a solo homer of their own.
FHU 1, CU 1
Bottom 7
Massengale legged out his patented infield single to set up
Dalton Bonner to unload on a full count offering to walk off game one with a two-run homer.
FHU 3, CU 1
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Game 2 (7 inn.)
(RV) Cumberland - 19
Freed-Hardeman - 1
The FHU (28-18, 9-6 MSC) hitters were held hitless until
Cade Fuller connected for a single in the home half of the third inning. The Lions would see their lone run cross in the fifth when
Cam Madding drew a bases-loaded walk.
Meanwhile the Phoenix (31-14-1, 11-4 MSC) had two big innings scoring five in the third and nine in the sixth to run away with the finale.
Eight different Lions recorded hits in the loss with
Blayne Highfill getting a double on his first career at-bat.
Hunter McLemore (3-1) had his season's first start where he tossed three innings before seven relievers helped close out the game.
Scoring Summary
Top 2
The Phoenix got started with a solo home run.
FHU 0, CU 1
Top 3
Cumberland drew two bases-loaded walks and a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch to help them add five more runs.
FHU 0, CU 5
Top 5
A solo home run was followed by a pair of sacrifice flies.
FHU 0, CU 9
Bottom 5
JJ Pruneau opened the inning with a single before
Hunter Ryan added a base hit. A walk loaded the bases before
Cam Madding drew the walk to bring in the Lions' lone run.
FHU 1, CU 9
Top 6
The guests plated nine runs highlighted by a grand slam.
FHU 1, CU 18
Top 7
An RBI double finished the CU scoring.
FHU 1, CU 19
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Up Next
The Lions will visit the Georgetown College Tigers to conclude the 2025 regular season on April 25-26.