Seniors sent off in style with big win

April 22, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. — After celebrating nine seniors, the (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lions gave the outgoing seniors plenty to celebrate, topping the Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) College Blue Raiders 13-2.

The FHU (30-17, 16-10 MSC) bats woke up hot and stayed hot, scoring runs exponentially across five scoring innings, starting in the bottom of the first inning after Adam Smithson's single was followed by a stole base before Zach Sanders' single to right field put the Lions on top 1-0.

After five of the first six Blue Raider (17-24, 9-16 MSC) batters were sat down on strikes, Sean Rooney lifted off on a solo homer - his fifth of the year - to left-center to put the Lions ahead 2-0. William Kelley followed suit by sneaking a fly ball inside the pole in left field for a solo shot to give the Lions a 3-0 advantage.

The bats were well-charged in the middle game of the series when, after Smithson walked, Will McCall (13) rocketed a monster homer over the wall in left field to put FHU ahead 5-0. Lindsey Wilson would lead off the fourth inning with a double before a two-run blast chipped away at the Lions' 5-2 lead.

After two pitches were followed by two outs, Presley showed his patience at the dish, drawing an eight-pitch walk to extend the bottom of the fourth inning. Smithson continued his hot day by doubling home Presley before the Blue Raiders intentionally walked McCall to try and set up a force play. Instead, Sanders would smack a two-run double into left field to give the Lions an 8-2 edge.

Saving their biggest inning for the fifth, Rooney's double to left field was followed by Mason Libla throwing his hat into the ring of the home run derby with his season's ninth to left-center field. Smithson would draw a bases-loaded walk before William Kelley would score thanks to a wild pitch. Caleb Molo ended the scoring with his sacrifice fly plating Spence Patrick to give the Lions their final 13-2 lead.

Colton Huntt (7-4) was dominant on the bump, striking out six Blue Raiders while not surrendering a walk. The junior hurler allowed three hits in the win. Montana Dickerson would shut the door, striking out two in as many innings of hitless relief.

Zach Sanders' 2-3 day drove in a team-high three runs, while Mason Libla, Will McCall, and Adam Smithson each sending home two runs apiece.