Lions complete sweep with wild win

February 11, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. — With the (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lions trailing the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) Cougars 7-6 in the bottom of the eighth inning, an RBI single was followed by an errant throw to see the winning run go from first to home to lead the hosts to an 8-7 win to sweep the Cougars.

After going hitless in the first two innings, the Lions (7-3) saw the visiting Cougars lead off the top of the third inning with a single, before a sacrifice bunt moved the runner into scoring position. A pickoff attempt that went sailing into right field allowed the lead runner to touch home to see FHU trail 1-0.

That deficit proved short-lived when Zach Sanders drew a one-out walk before Will McCall (3) fired a rocket over the deepest part of Five Wells Field for a two-run homer to put the Lions on top 2-1.

Saint Francis (0-4) would plate a pair of runs to jump ahead of the Lions after back-to-back singles and a passed ball put runners on second and third. A grounder tied up the game before an RBI single put the Cougars back on top 3-2, but momentum went back FHU's way when the runner was tagged out trying to stretch a single to a double.

Sanders drew his second walk of the day, followed by bases on balls for McCall and Sean Rooney. With the bases loaded, Trace Anderson flew out to shallow right field. Sanders tested the arm of the USF second baseman and got a hand under the tag to tie the game again, this time at 3-3.

Walks were the story of the top of the sixth inning, with four issued by the Lions in the frame allowing the Cougars to jump back on top, now 4-3. A single would push another run across to set the score at 5-3 before Seth Creasy coaxed a flyout to strand the bases loaded.

Freed-Hardeman answered right back in the home half of the sixth when Caleb Molo drew a one-out walk, later stealing second base. Dawson Massengale continued his monster series by doubling home Molo to narrow the USF lead to 5-4.

The Cougars would plate another run in the top of the seventh inning after a pair of hit-by-pitches were brought home by a two-run single to give the Cougars a 7-4 lead at the stretch.

FHU struck again in the bottom of the seventh with unconventional means. Sean Rooney reached first base on an errant throw, then in an attempt to turn a double play, the shortstop's throw to second base went into the outfield to plant runners on the corners with Rooney at third and Trace Anderson on first. A balk from the USF pitcher allowed Rooney to trot the final 90 feet to score the unearned run. Molo's single to right field plated Anderson to bring the score to 7-6.

Massengale led off the bottom of the eighth inning by legging out a bunt single. After Sanders' groundout moved the centerfielder into scoring position, Rooney continued his clutch hitting by lacing a single up the middle to score the tying run. With Adam Smithson on to pinch run for Rooney, the speed unnerved the Cougar catcher, whose backdoor pickoff attempt sailed over the first baseman's head into right field. With Smithson rounding third base, another error allowed just enough time for Smithson to go from first to home and score the winning run.

It was a platoon effort for both bullpens, with the Lions sending out five pitchers and the Cougars utilizing six hurlers. Montana Dickerson drew the start for FHU, giving up three runs in four innings. Cam Jennings (1-0) was credited with the victory, punching out three USF batters in 1 2/3 innings.

Taking advantage of the five Cougar miscues, the Lions scored eight runs on just five hits, with Dawson Massengale being the only FHU player with multiple hits knocking two.

Up Next

The FHU Lions continue their long homestand by welcoming the University of Mobile (Ala.) Rams to Henderson for a four-game series featuring a pair of doubleheaders. The first twin bill is scheduled for Friday, February 17 with games at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.