Late push by No. 5 FHU not enough in loss

March 4, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

GULF SHORES, Ala. - Looking to battle back after losses, the No. 5 Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions lined up with the Morningside (Iowa) University Mustangs. Despite a four-run sixth inning, early runs from Morningside proved too much as FHU lost 5-4.

Moving up in the order, Karli Quillin tallied a single in the second at-bat for the Lady Lions (4-3, 0-0 MSC) before stealing second base. Quillin would stay put there after a strikeout and a flyout ended the early FHU threat.

A leadoff single in the top of the second inning gave Morningside (7-3) early opportunities. A sacrifice bunt moved the runner into scoring position before an RBI single put the Mustangs on the board 1-0.

A single throwing error by the FHU defense was turned into four unearned runs. What would have been the second out of the inning on a groundout, an errant throw turned what would have been a sacrifice bunt into what amounted to a double. A single plated the runner from third before a popout would have recorded the third out of the inning. A double and a single would see three more Mustangs tap home - unearned - to give Morningside the 4-0 advantage after four innings.

It took the Lady Lions six innings to get the offense rolling, but with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, Kennedy Harris-Bennett doubled to left field. Quillin tallied another base hit to put runners on the corners to set up Sophie Dunavant to single home Harris-Bennett and move Quillin to second. Myleah Hardy laced a single into right to score Quillan and move Dunavant to third base. Anna Kate Norton had the big swing in the inning, bringing home both Molli Deere (pinch running for Hardy) and Dunance with a two-run single. A groundout ended the FHU rally one run short of evening affairs up.

Brinley Cousar led off the last chance half-inning for FHU with a walk. A sacrifice bunt moved her to second before a wild pitch put the tying run 60 feet away. Unfortunately for the Lady Lions, back-to-back foul outs ended the chance to plate Cousar and continue the game.

Chloe Winters (1-2) went 3 2/3 innings, allowing eight hits a seeing five runs cross, only one of which was earned. Katelyn Bradford came on in relief, tossing 3 1/3 innings of one-hit pitching where she fanned two Mustangs.

The Lady Lions had no trouble getting the bat on the ball, with Anna Kate Norton and Karli Quillin both collecting two base hits, with Sophie Dunavant, Myleah Hardy, and Kennedy Harris-Bennett all earning one hit.

Up Next

The Lady Lions have one more contest in Gulf Shores in hopes of leaving Alabama on a high note. It will be a tough contest with FHU facing the No. 12 William Carey (Miss.) University Crusaders on Sunday, March 5, at 11:15 a.m.