2012 Baseball

HENDERSON, Tenn. - The Freed-Hardeman Lions started off the new season on a positive note on Tuesday, sweeping a double-header from Williams Baptist (Ark.) College at Carnes Field.

FHU (2-0) took the first game 10-2 before winning the nightcap, 7-3.

The first inning of the year proved to be a big one for the Lions.  Hunter Newby retired the Eagles in order in the top of the frame, and Kyle Dearing doubled to lead off the bottom of the inning in the first Lion at-bat of the year.  FHU went on to plate three runs in the first, then duplicated it in the second to take a 6-0 lead.

Newby (1-0) threw first-pitch strikes to most hitters he faced and allowed four hits - three of which were infield hits - and fanned six in 4.2 innings of work.

The Lions were one out away from run-ruling WBC before a pair of errors in the top of the fifth led to a run for the Eagles to keep the game alive.

FHU scored four runs in the fourth to take a 10-0 lead despite getting only one hit in the inning.  The Lions drew five walks - two with the bases loaded - and had one hit batsman.

Robert Prieto and Ryan Grigatis both went 3-for-4 in the opener while Kyle Dearing and Ben Ihde went 2-for-3.

In the second game, the Lions had to come back from an early deficit after WBC got runs in the first and second innings.  FHU tied it in the third on back-to-back RBU doubles by Justin Mackey and Prieto, then took the lead in the fourth when Joe Mike scored from third on an error by the Eagles' Ethan Clarke.

Meanwhile, FHU starter Andy Southard (1-0) settled down and held WBC scoreless in his last two innings of work.  Daniel Wallace, Charlie Overturf and Drew Suttles each worked an inning in relief, yielding only one run among them.

Jesse Hykes gave the Lions a cushion thanks to a pinch-hit three-run home run (1) with two outs in the fifth.

Prieto capped off a productive day at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance in game two.  Seven other Lions had a hit in the win.

The Lions travel to face the University of Texas at Tyler on Friday.