Late comeback not enough as Lady Lions fall

April 28, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. — In the final leg before the Mid-South Conference Tournament, the No. 14 Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions lined up against the No. 23 Campbellsville (Ky.) University Tigers. An early start by the visitors proved too much to overcome with the Lady Lions falling 8-3.

A quick start for the CU Tigers (23-10, 14-7 MSC) saw a leadoff single followed by a walk. One fielder's choice was followed by another attempt that saw the throw of the back half of the double play attempt go wide; fortunately, the Lady Lions regrouped and got the batter out trying for second. Unfortunately for the Lions, the Tigers plated the first run of the game in before the tag was placed.

The Lady Lions (27-13-1, 15-7 MSC) answered back in the home half of the first with a leadoff singled from Kennedy Harris-Bennett. After a sacrifice bunt and a stolen base, Myleah Hardy's sacrifice fly would plate the tying run. Sophie Dunavant tried to keep the bases rolling with a double to center but was left stranded.

Campbellsville's second inning was the big one for the visitors, who scored five runs thanks to five hits to jump ahead of the Lady Lions 6-1. A two-run single followed up in the top of the third to see FHU trail 8-1.

Anna Kate Norton would lead off the bottom of the seventh with a triple to the deepest part of center field, but a collision at third base shortened the celebration with Gracie Wilson taking the senior's place. Wilson would score with an RBI single from Mattie Boyett, followed by a double from Harris-Bennett. A single off of the bat of Karli Quillin drove in the third and final FHU run to end the game 8-3.

Three Lady Lions pitched over two innings of work, but the go-ahead run was the responsibility of Chloe Winters (10-3) charging the junior with the loss.

Kennedy Harris-Bennett went 3-4 from the plate, while Sophie Dunavant and Karli Quillin each tallied two base hits.

Up Next

The Lady Lions wrap up the regular season tomorrow, April 29 with a doubleheader at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. A Senior Day celebration will precede the competitions at 1:30 p.m.