Lady Lions start season with win

February 10, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

ALEXANDRIA, La. — Beginning their 2023 campaign in the Bayou State, the No. 5 Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions utilized a four-run third inning to vault them to a 7-1 victory over the Central Baptist (Ark.) College Lady Mustangs.

Hitless after two innings, Mattie Boyett led off the top of the third inning for the Lady Lions (1-0) by legging out an infield single. After reaching via a fielder's choice, Karli Quillin found herself on third base after Kennedy Harris-Bennett's single up the middle before Catherine Crabb drove Quillin home for the first run of the season with an infield single. In just her second collegiate at-bat, Myleah Hardy (1) blasted a three-run homer to center field to put FHU up 4-0. 

After the Lady Mustangs (2-4) went scoreless over two innings, Harris-Bennett (1) added a long ball of her own to right field to put FHU on top 5-0. After Sophie Dunavant singled to left field, Anna Kate Norton laced a two-out triple to center field to plate Dunavant and give the Lady Lions a 6-0 lead.

Pinch running for Boyett who drew a walk, Madelyn Crabb teamed up with Quillin for a double steal to see Quilian on second base with M. Crabb tapping home for the seventh and final FHU run. CBC would plate their lone run with a solo homer in the bottom of the sixth to cement the score a 7-1.

Brittany Adair (1-0) went the distance in the circle, punching out nine Lady Mustangs while allowing three hits. 

Seven Lady Lions tallied hits, with Kennedy Harris-Bennett going 2-4 from the plate and Myleah Hardy driving in a team-high three runs.