Nine-run fifth pushes Lions past Tornadoes
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Freed-Hardeman | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 11 | 0 |
|
Talladega | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 1 |
April 4, 2023
by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director
TALLADEGA, Ala. — A pair of big innings from both teams highlighted Tuesday's game between the Lions of Freed-Hardeman University and the Tornadoes of Talladega (Ala.) College. The nine runs the men in maroon put up in the top of the fifth were enough to see FHU leave with a 13-6 victory.
Freed-Hardeman (22-14, 10-8 MSC) got on the board first after Zach Sanders and Will McCall had back-to-back singles before a double steal put them both into scoring position. Sean Rooney aired a sacrifice fly to right field to score Sanders and give FHU a 1-0 lead.
Talladega (21-11-1, 11-3 SSAC) mirrored FHU's first with a sacrifice fly to tie the game before Baron Rattlif being hit by a pitch was the prelude to the Lions loading the bases. Nathan Lewis drove in Ratliff to put the Lions ahead 2-1.
The Tornadoes marched four runs across the plate in the bottom of the second inning to jump ahead before a scoreless fourth inning sent the Lions to bat in the top of the fifth inning trailing 6-2.
William Kelley got things started with a single, coming home thanks to Christian Presley's RBI double. A set of walks loaded the bases with Lions, but Talladega quickly struck out two batters to hope to limit the damage. Instead, Baron Ratliff and Anthony Jarvis both had RBI walks before Adam Smithson cleared the bases with a three-run double to center field. After batting around, Kelley collected a double to score Smithson followed by Presley knocking his third homer of the year to stun Talladega and take an 11-6 lead.
Not finished at the bat, McCall (9) and Rooney (4) joined forces for back-to-back homers with the Lion bullpen shutting down the Tornadoes to finish the 13-6 victory.
Relieving starter Cam Jennings, Seth Creasy (2-1) earned the win by pitching four innings where the junior allowed just one run while striking out six batters.
The Lions had plenty of offensive firepower on display with William Kelley, Will McCall, Christian Presley, and Adam Smithson each posting two hits, with Presley and Smithson driving in three runs each.
Up Next
The Lions jump back into Mid-South Conference play with a trip to Pulaski, Tennessee, where a three-game series with the Tennessee Southern FireHawks awaits. Friday, April 7th's game is set to start at 6:00 p.m. before a doubleheader on Saturday, April 8 begins at 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.