BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lions held an early lead against the No. 5 University of the Cumberlands Patriots in the win-or-go-home game of the double-elimination Mid-South Conference tournament. Despite an early lead, the Lions' quest for the title came to an end with a 4-3 loss.
Second-seeded Freed-Hardeman (32-18) struck first when
Hunter Ryan singled home a run in the top of the second.
JJ Pruneau made it a two-run lead with a double that plated
Drake Blackwood.
The No. 1 seed of the tournament Patriots (43-8) used the MSC Player of the Year to hit a two-run blast to tie up the game in the third before managing to score two more runs to set the score at 4-2.
Chase Eakes hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to make it a one-run game, but the Lions fell short of tying the elimination game.
Drake Blackwood paced the FHU offense by going 3-for-5 from the plate, while
Alejandro Diaz went 2-for-2.
Despite a four-strikeout performance in a strong six-inning start,
Colton Bryant (7-2) got the loss.
Scoring Summary
Top 2
Alejandro Diaz sparked a rally with a one-out single, with
Hunter McLemore following with a single. After
Chase Eakes drew a walk to load the bases,
Hunter Ryan drove home Diaz with a single to put the Lions on top.
FHU 1, UC 0
Top 3
The Lions got started with a leadoff single by
Drake Blackwood, who immediately put himself into scoring position with a stolen base. Two batters later,
JJ Pruneau swatted a double into left-center to drove in Blackwood for the second run of the day.
FHU 2, UC 0
Bottom 3
Cumberlands needed one swing to tie the game with a two-run homer.
FHU 2, UC 2
Bottom 4
A leadoff walk helped the Patriots take the lead with an RBI single later in the inning.
FHU 2, UC 3
Bottom 6
The Patriots added an insurance run when an unearned run crossed during a double play.
FHU 2, UC 4
Top 8
Pruneau and Diaz hoped to ignite a comeback with back-to-back leadoff walks.
Hunter McLemore sacrificed his at-bat to move the runners ahead 90 feet before
Chase Eakes hit a sacrifice fly to plate Pruneau's courtesy runner,
Michael Glick. A pair of flyouts would make Glick's run the lone one to cross.
FHU 3, UC 4
Up Next
The Lions' fate rests in the hands of the NAIA Tournament selection committee. They will hope their resume is good enough to earn an at-large bid to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round. The selection show will air on the NAIA's YouTube page at 4:00 p.m. on May 6.
