HENDERSON, Tenn. - Charlie Overturf and Hunter Newby combined on a five-hit shutout in the second game of a double-header against Harris-Stowe State (Mo.) University to help the Lions split the games and the season series at two games apiece.
The Lions won game two, 2-0, after dropping a slugfest in the opening game, 15-12. It was the second time this season that first year FHU head coach Jonathan Estes faced his former squad, with the two teams also splitting a twinbill at Harris-Stowe on March 22. HSSU is now coached by Estes's brother and former FHU pitcher David Estes.
Overturf allowed one hit in three innings of work before giving way to Newby (6-2), who worked the final four innings of the game. Newby worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth before retiring the side in the seventh to seal the win for the Lions. FHU (31-18) got an RBI single in the first inning from Brian Bullard and added another run in the fourth on a fielder's choice grounder off the bat of Derek Bush.
The first game was the polar opposite of the pitchers' duel from game two. The Hornets scored eight runs with two outs in the top of the fourth inning to take a 10-2 lead. FHU got four of those runs back in the bottom of the inning on a three-run home run by Robert Prieto (2) and an RBI double by Joe Mike.
The Lions got two more three-run shots, one from Evan Mansell (4) in the sixth inning and another from Noslen Labrada (12) in the seventh, but it would not be enough to close the gap as HSSU padded its lead with three runs in the fifth and two more in the seventh.
Amos Bingham (3-2) took the loss in game one, allowing six runs on six hits in 3-2/3 innings of work.
Freed-Hardeman plays its final home series of the regular season this weekend when it hosts Martin Methodist (Tenn.) College.
