Lady Lions explode with nine-run fifth to top FireHawks

April 2, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

PULASKI, Tenn. — The No. 14 Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions picked up their sixth consecutive conference victory by completing the sweep of the University of Tennessee Southern FireHawks with a 16-4 final in five innings. 

The Lady Lions (15-6, 8-3 MSC) got started with a leadoff single to center field from Kennedy Harris-Bennett but were unable to capitalize on the early start.

Meanwhile, the FireHawks (10-18, 2-13 MSC) jumped on the board first after a leadoff double set the stage for a sacrifice bunt to be followed by an RBI single. After a scoreless second inning for both teams, Karli Quillin tagged a one-out single before Myleah Hardy moved her into scoring position with a walk. Sophie Dunavant connected for an RBI single to right field, scoring Quillin as the tying run. With two outs and two runners on base, FHU capitalized on a throwing error by scoring both Hardy and Catherine Crabb and placed Cassie Hayes on third. Anna Kate Norton drove in Hayes with an infield single to give the Lady Lions a 4-1 edge.

Three more runs would cross in the fourth frame after Brinley Cousar led off the inning with a walk, later scoring on Dunavant's RBI groundout. After Quillin reached on a single and Hardy drew a walk, Crabb's single would score both Quillin and Hardy's pinch runner, Natalie Gilmore, to put FHU ahead 7-1.

The big inning for the Lady Lions began with Norton singling to right before being brought home by Kiersten Mesler's RBI single. With Alivia Eggleston running for Mesler, Cousar drew a walk followed by a single from Madelyn Crabb to load the bases. Quillin continued her hot day by singling home both Cousar and Eggleston. Later in the inning, Mattie Boyett would draw a bases-loaded walk to plate Quillin before Norton had the big swing for a bases-clearing double to give FHU a 14-1 edge. Batting around, Eggleston drew a walk which was followed by a wild pitch to move her into scoring position and to score Norton. M. Crabb's two-out single to left would score Eggleston to end the onslaught at 16-1.

A pair of doubles in the bottom of the fifth inning helped the FireHawks tack on three more runs but could muster no more and finalized the score at 16-4 in favor of the ladies in maroon.

Chloe Winters (6-2) earned the victory with four innings where she gave up one run on five hits, striking out two.

The Lady Lions pounded out 15 hits, led by Karli Quillin's 4-5 day from the plate. Anna Kate Norton posted a three-hit game while driving in a team-high four runs. The Crabb sisters of Catherine and Madelyn added two hits each.

Up Next

FHU will return to Henderson to prepare for a three-game series with Cumberland (Tenn.) University with a single game on Friday, April 7, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Saturday's doubleheader is slated to start at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.