Lions' season ends in championship game

May 18, 2023

by Chris Goodrich, baseball intern

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — The (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lions got the opportunity to face off against the Georgia Gwinnett Grizzlies for the third matchup in three days, with the Lions forcing the "if necessary" ballgame by the efforts of Houston High last evening. Unfortunately, the Lions fell to the Grizzlies by a score of 7-1. Sean Rooney was the Lions' leading hitter, collecting two of the team's four hits in the morning contest.

After a quick beginning front half of the ballgame, the Lions (40-21) finally got on the board with a run to start the ballgame off strong. Cam Madding leads off the bottom of the fifth inning with a single up the middle. Quickly, he advances to second base by the Grizzlies pitcher. Sean Rooney brings home the Lions' baserunner to make the score 1-0 in favor of the Lions. However, the Grizzlies (50-6) would quickly answer with five runs to take the lead 5-1. The Lions could never bring any more runs across as the Grizzlies would add two more to give us the final score of 7-1.

Colton Huntt (10-5) received the loss for the Lions as he pitched five innings, giving up five hits, walking one batter, and striking out four batters. Seth Creasy was called upon after the Lions starter as he pitched three and one-thirds innings while allowing four hits and walking two batters. Nolan Wells would enter to finish to get the last two batters out.

With this being the end of the Lions season, we are very thankful for the nine seniors we watched throughout the season. Alex Huey, Anthony Jarvis, Mason Libla, Will McCall, Caleb Molo, Spence Patrick, Sean Rooney, Zach Sanders, and Luis Torres-Lopez

The Lions finished the season with a record of 40-21. This season, they finished third in the regular season conference standings. However, the Lions finished runner-up in tournament play to help clinch their berth in the opening round. In the opening round, they would finish second to the Gwinnett Grizzlies.