By Dustin Semore
FHU Information Director
For the second time in three years the champions of the Mid-South Conference wear Freed-Hardeman University maroon and gold. The (RV) Lady Lions smacked 13 hits in a 5-2 victory over the No. 4 University of the Cumberands (Ky.) Patriots.
The even-numbered innings were the scoring innings for FHU (31-16), plating one in both the second and fourth before a three-run sixth. Grayson Mayo led off the bottom of the second inning with a single to center, moving into scoring position thanks to Olivia White’s sacrifice. After Kiersten Perry’s single moved Mayo 60 feet from home, a passed ball allowed the sophomore to score FHU’s first run. Natalie Gilmore nearly drove in the second run of the frame, but a great throw from the UC outfield cut Perry out at the plate, but the Lady Lions held a 1-0 advantage.
The Patriots (44-7) answered with a home run in the top of the fourth inning, but the top of the Lady Lion order struck in the home half. Karli Quillin and Gilmore hit back-to-back singles with Alivia Eggleston joining the hit carousel with a single that drove Quillin home to give FHU a 2-1 lead.
Though already stellar in the circle, Chloe Winters bore down and struck out five of the next six Patriots to send the Lady Lions to the bottom of the sixth inning looking for insurance. In a duplication of the fourth inning, Quillin and Gilmore both connected for singles, but Eggleston smacked a double to left-center to score the third FHU run. Chloe Carter’s groundout drove home the fourth run before an error extended the inning and allowed Gracie Wilson to tap home unearned to give FHU a 5-1 advantage.
A leadoff single coupled with an error allowed on UC run to cross, but the Lady Lions recorded the final out to win the MSC title.
Chloe Winters (9-5), pitching in her third consecutive game, hurled a three-hit complete game where the senior punched out eight batters in her league swan song. In the three games FHU played in the tournament, Winters was a part of all three decisions: winning games one and three while earning a save in game two.
FHU pounded out 13 hits, led by Karli Quillin and Natalie Gilmore tallying three hits each. Alivia Eggleston and Grayson Mayo had two hits each.
