First-inning homer not enough as Lady Lions fall to Patriots

March 18, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. — Despite an early start, the No. 3 Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions could not muster any late offense as they lost to the No. 13 University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) Patriots 4-1 in the first of a three-game series.

With two outs in the top of the first inning, Myleah Hardy lifted her year's third home run over the fence in left field to give the Lady Lions (9-5, 2-2 MSC) an early lead.

While FHU began with power, it was small ball that helped UC (23-2, 4-0 MSC) answer in the bottom of the first. The first two batters reached via a walk and a hit-by-pitch, then after a strikeout, both moved into scoring position with a double steal. A sacrifice bunt drove in the tying run before a strikeout ended the inning tied 1-1.

The Patriots led off the third inning with a double chased by a wild pitch to set up the first baserunner 60 feet away from home. After a walk, a sacrifice bunt opportunity popped straight in the air and turned into a pop out. The Lady Lions hoped to escape the early threat after the runner on first was caught stealing; however, a two-out blast to left field put the Patriots on top 3-1 at the end of the third inning.

FHU hoped to answer in the top of the fourth with back-to-back singles by Sophie Dunavant and Catherine Crabb, but a new pitcher for the Patriots settled things down to get out of the inning unscathed.

A leadoff homer in the bottom of the fifth inning set the scoreboard to the final score of 4-1 in favor of UC.

Brittany Adair (6-3) tossed 2 2/3 innings in the loss, having difficulty finding the zone by issuing five walks to three strikeouts. Chloe Winters pitched the final 3 1/3 innings where she struck out three.

Five hits were shared by five Lady Lions with Catherine Crabb, Sophie Dunavant, Myleah Hardy, Kennedy Harris-Bennett, and Cassie Hayes all recording base knocks.