![Photo by CJ Vires](/sports/bsb/2022-23/Madding-9.jpg?max_width=1200)
Lions take advantage of Bulldogs errors
May 15, 2023
by Chris Goodrich, Baseball Intern
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — The (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lions started on the right foot in the Lawrenceville bracket with an excellent team win over the Concordia (Neb.) University Bulldogs. The Lions beat the Bulldogs by a score of 7 to 4 as the Lions outhit the Bulldogs by eight hits to their seven hits.
The Lions (38-19) got the first run of the ballgame in the bottom of the second inning. With two outs in the inning, Sean Rooney reaches first base with a single. Shortly after, Rooney advances to second base on a wild pitch. With Mason Libla at the dish, he singles home Sean Rooney to help the Lions lead 1-0 over the Bulldogs. In the bottom of the third inning, Christian Presley singles up to the middle and quickly reaches second base on a passed ball by the catcher. Known for his speed, Presley steals third base. Will McCall helps bring home Christian Presley on an error by the Bulldog third basemen to extend the Lions lead 2-0.
Over the next two innings, the Bulldogs (38-17) add four runs to help them gain the lead over the Lions. However, the Lions do not take this lightly. Adam Smithson reaches first base in the bottom of the sixth inning to start the inning off strong. Will McCall gets plunked by the pitch to have Lions runners on first and second base? Zach Sanders brought home one runner to bring it down to one run. Cam Madding quickly changed that by singling home McCall and Sanders to help the Lions lead 5-4. Sean Rooney extends the inning by having another single on the day. Quickly, a double steal works, and runners are on second and third base. William Kelley takes advantage of this opportunity to single home a run to help the Lions reach a 6-4 lead. Zach Sanders quickly singles through the left side in the bottom of the seventh inning. He quickly reaches third base by yet another error on the Bulldogs. Cam Madding brings home the baserunner by a sacrifice flyout, and the Lions now lead 7-4.
Colton Huntt (10-4) picked up the win on the mound for the Lions, pitching six innings allowing six hits allowing three earned runs, and striking out nine Bulldog batters. Luis Torres-Lopez was spotless in relief for the Lions as he picked up his fourth save of the season and pitched three innings, allowing one hit and striking out two batters.
Up Next
The Lions will be back in action tomorrow, May 16, as they wait to play the winner of the game three matchup this evening. The first pitch of this ballgame is expected to be thrown at 2:00 central time.