Six-run fourth dooms Lions in MSC opener

February 23, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. — After splitting last week's series, the (RV) Freed-Hardeman Lions continued their long homestand by welcoming the Tigers of Georgetown (Ky.) College for the first Mid-South Conference series. Despite a late scoring output by the Lions, a six-run fourth inning from the Tigers ended the day's first matchup with an 11-6 Lion defeat.

It was an early deficit for the Lions (9-6, 0-1 MSC) after Georgetown saw their first two batters reach on a walk and a batter being hit by a pitch. The third batter for the Tigers perfectly placed a single in the hole on the left side to score the game's first run. 

Georgetown (9-2, 1-0 MSC) tacked on a run in the top of the third inning after an RBI single followed a leadoff single and sacrifice bunt. The Lions would be held hitless until Anthony Jarvis fired a single into left-center field. Despite moving into scoring position with a steal, Jarvis would be stranded with FHU trailing 2-0 after three complete innings.

A one-out homer by the Tigers was followed by a two-out error that allowed a run to score before a walk loaded the bases. A bases-clearing triple would tack on three unearned runs before a final run touched home after a two-out single.

FHU saw Will McCall lead off the bottom of the fourth with a double to right field, moving to third after a throwing error by the Tigers. Brady Spring sacrificed his at-bat with a fly ball to left field to bring home McCall to put FHU on the board. Baron Ratliff (2) would sneak a solo home run inside the left-field pole to add another Lion run, now trailing 9-1. After another Tiger run, Mason Libla joined the derby by launching his season's fourth long ball to see the Lions trail 10-3. 

With their last half inning, FHU had a strong push after Jarvis tallied his second base knock, followed by a walk being issued to Zach Sanders. McCall would launch his campaign's fifth homer over the right-center field fence to cement the score at 11-6.

Alex Huey (1-2) was charged with the loss after tossing 3 2/3 innings where he gave up six runs, three of which were earned.

The Lions tallied seven hits on the day, led by Will McCall and Anthony Jarvis both collecting two hits.