The No. 25 Freed-Hardeman University Lions kept their fast start going with a 10-5 victory over (RV) Bryan (Tenn.) University with a 10-5 final before seeing their winning streak end at six games with a 9-2 loss to (RV) St. Thomas (Fla.) University.
GAME 1: FHU – 10 Bryan – 5
Adam Smithson opened the game for the FHU Lions (6-0) with a walk before swiping both second and third. Cam Madding hit a weak grounder to the pitcher who tried to flip it to the plate, but Smithson’s speed saw him slide under the tag to take an early 1-0 lead. After William Kelley and Trace Anderson connected for singles, Jordan Carter’s double down the line in left plated Kelley. Anderson scored during the next at-bat due to a wild pitch to give the Lions a 3-0 edge.
A two-run homer by Bryan (6-3) put the Bryan Lions on the board, but Christian Presley answered with a three-run blast to straightaway center field to see FHU steam ahead to a 7-2 lead after two innings.
JJ Pruneau laced an RBI single in the top of the fourth inning before Jordan Carter scored on a double steal attempt to give FHU their 10th and final runs.
Colton Huntt (2-0) was dominant on the bump, striking out five in four innings of work.
Jordan Carter went 3-4, while Trace Anderson tacked on two runs. Christian Presley was FHU’s biggest run producers, driving in four runs including the three-run homer.
GAME 2: FHU – 2 STU – 9
The FHU Lions (6-1) fell victim to an early onslaught by the St. Thomas Bobcats, who opened up with five consecutive singles to open the last game of the Cajun Collision, scoring four runs in the blink of an eye.
After STU (7-3) tacked on two more runs, FHU got on the scoreboard after William Kelley was hit by a pitch, only to end up on third base after back-to-back stolen bases. That would set up Trace Anderson to drive Kelley home and get the Lions on the board, but trailing 6-1.
A sacrifice fly from Jordan Carter in the top of the sixth inning would score Christian Presley, who drew a leadoff walk in the inning. Those two runs were all FHU could muster in the 7-2 defeat.
Colton Bryant (1-1) was charged with the loss, leaving the game after two complete innings where he struck out three.
JJ Pruneau’s single in the top of the seventh broke up the no hitter.
