HENDERSON — The (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lions took advantage of a five-run third inning to lift them to a victory, 7-6, over the Bethel University Wildcats in the first game of a three-game series.
Despite the Wildcats taking the early lead, the Lions (26-11, 9-1 MSC) rallied in the bottom of the third, thanks in part to back-to-back jacks from
Brennen Gibson and
Brooks Jones.
Bethel (10-21, 4-6 MSC) battled back with a two-run frame in the fifth inning to tie the game at 5-5, but the Lions would score on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single. The Wildcats put the tying run on third, but FHU secured the victory.
Trace Anderson,
Alejandro Diaz, and
Chase Eakes all had two base hits, while
Brennen Gibson's three-run homer driving in the most FHU runs.
Jackson Fitzwilson had a no-decision start after six innings where he struck out two batters. Giving way to the bullpen,
Jackson Hines (4-1) earned the victory in his lone inning of work, handing the ball over to
Joe Romines (3) who earned the save.Â
Scoring Summary
Top 1
A single put a runner on base who sprinted from first to home on an RBI double.
FHU 0, BU 1
Top 3
A runner put on by one-out walk was later scored on an RBI double.
FHU 0, BU 2
Bottom 3
The big FHU frame began with a single from
Alejandro Diaz and a walk from
Hunter McLemore.
Trace Anderson smacked a double to score Diaz, setting up
Brennen Gibson to launch a three-run opposite-field homer to take the lead. One pitch later,
Brooks Jones turned on a pitch to hit a solo shot.
FHU 5, BU 2
Top 5
An RBI groundout and a sacrifice fly made it a one-run game.
FHU 5, BU 4
Top 7
An unearned run crossed to tie up the game.
FHU 5, BU 5
Bottom 7
A walk and a hit batsman was followed by a double-steal.
Brooks Jones was able to air a sacrifice fly to give FHU the lead.
FHU 6, BU 5
Bottom 8
Much-needed insurance scored in the late innings after Diaz drew a walk. His pinch-runner,
Colin Milligan, would steal second, only to score on
Chase Eakes' single.
FHU 7, BU 5
Top 9
The Wildcats drew a bases-loaded walk to put the tying run on third, but the Lions put the squeeze on the final out.
FHU 7, BU 6
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