By Eli Walker
Student of Sport Administration
The Freed-Hardeman University Lions (20-8, 8-4 MSC) swept the Bears of Shawnee State University (7-16, 1-8 MSC) Saturday afternoon. Great pitching and situational hitting propelled the Lions to victory.
Senior Tyler Duskin got the start for Game 2. Duskin pitched very effectively throughout the whole game and held the Bears scoreless through 6 innings. The Lions struggled to get runners on base after being no-hit through 5 innings. The Lions got their first hit in the bottom of the sixth and looked to do damage but were cut down after grounding into a double play. The Bears struck first in the seventh after Duskin surrendered a solo homerun. The Lions tied the game after a wild pitch scored Zach Sanders. Duskin exited after 7 complete innings allowing 1 run on 9 hits, 1 walk, and 4 strikeouts. Creasy entered to pitch in extra innings. Creasy held the Bears to no hits in the eighth. Again in the ninth, Creasy worked quickly to retire the Bears with the help of his defense. Will McCall ended the game after hitting a towering solo homerun over the right field wall. Creasy received the win.
Colton Huntt got the nod for Game 3. The Lions struck first in the bottom of the first after an RBI single from Sanders. William Kelley jumped in on the action with a 2-run mammoth homerun. In the third inning, Sean Rooney extended the lead with a solo shot over the left center wall. Kent Rooklin added another insurance run with an RBI single. The Bears finally got on the board in the fourth as Huntt surrendered a couple hits that led to the sole run. The Lions scored again in the fifth after another RBI single from Sanders. Rooklin extended the inning with an RBI single of his own. The Bears cut down the lead in the sixth after Huntt surrendered a 2-run homerun. The Bears struck again with another solo homerun. Huntt exited after 5.2 innings pitched allowing 4 runs on 6 hits, 1 walk, and 8 strikeouts. Luis Torrez-Lopez entered for relief. Torrez was able to hold the Bears and finish the sixth. Torrez finished out the game and did not allow a run. Huntt received the win.
