Sanders' big day helps Lions to series win

March 5, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — After splitting the Saturday doubleheader, the (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lions claimed their first Mid-South Conference series victory by topping the University of Pikeville (Ky.) Bears 5-2 on Sunday's getaway day.

The Lions (12-9, 2-4 MSC) were off and running when Christian Presley led things off with a single to left before scoring when Zach Sanders trucked his way around the diamond with an RBI triple to left. Will McCall skied a sacrifice fly to left o score Sanders and give the Lions a 2-0 lead before the Bears picked up a bat.

Pikeville (7-10, 1-5 MSC) struck back in their half of the first inning, singling before advancing to second by way of a wild pitch. A walk and a single planted a UPIKE Bear on all three bases with nobody out. A sacrifice fly put Pikeville on the board, but FHU starter Colton Huntt settled down to strike out the next two batters and tightrope out of danger.

After three scoreless innings, Freed-Hardeman put some much-needed insurance runs on the board starting with Sanders' second single of the afternoon to left field. McCall followed with a single of his own before Mason Libla's base knock drove in Sanders. With Adam Smithson aboard to run for Libla, Brady Spring being hit a pitch loaded the bases for Trace Anderson. The freshman made contact for a single to left to score both McCall and Smithson to push the Lions to a 5-1 lead in the top of the fifth.

A dropped fly in the outfield hurt the Lions when what should have been out two ended up placing a runner on second. A wild pitch moved the runner to third before a groundout brought the unearned run home to finalize the score at 5-2 before the teams went scoreless from the sixth to ninth innings.

Colton Huntt (3-1) was locked into the zone, with 65% of his pitches being strikes - fanning nine Bears and allowing one walk. Nolan Wells earned his third save of the season, tossing two innings of hitless baseball.

Zach Sanders led the Lion bats, going 3-5 from the field while driving in one run. William Kelley, Will McCall, and Sean Rooney each tallied a pair of base knocks, while Trace Anderson's lone hit driving in a pair of runs.

Up Next

FHU returns to Five Wells Field for more Mid-South Conference action where they set to host the Thomas More (Ky.) University Saints. The three-game series begins with a single game on Friday, March 10 at 5:00 p.m. followed by a doubleheader consisting of a seven-inning game and a nine-inning affair on Saturday, March 11 at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.