Cincinnati, Ohio-Thursday April, 22 the Mount St. Joseph University Lions played host to the Pioneers of Transylvania University. Transy entered this match-up leading the HCAC standings, however the Lions were able to make this a closely contested ball game.
The Lions started Freshman Steven Jimenez on the mound, who was able to get out of the first inning without surrendering any hits. In the bottom of the first the top half of the Lions lineup were able to produce a run, as Jake Lawson got a leadoff single, advancing to third on a Matt Brankamp single and driven in thanks to a Ryan Murray sac-fly. The Lions defense surrendered two runs to the Pioneers in the top of the second, followed by a scoreless third inning for both teams. In the top of the fourth the Pioneers extended their lead to 3-1 over the Lions off of a home-run. However the Mount kept things close in their next at-bat plating Brady Ray on an error. After a quick three up three down top of the fifth the Lions were able to knot the score back up at three. With two outs and Murray on second base, Carter Owens singled into the right-field gap allowing Murray to score.
By far the most entertaining inning of the game came in the sixth. The Pioneers were able to take a 5-3 lead in the top half of the sixth, however the Lions were able to answer with two runs of their own, when First-basemen Nick Heil hit a two-run bomb into deep right-field to tie the game up at five. Unfortunately this was the last time that the Lions were able to produce any offense, after surrendering two runs in the top of the ninth inning the Lions fell 7-5.
Despite losing the Lions gave their best efforts the Lions fell short against the best team in the conference. Heil was able to tally his first career home-run with the Mount, finishing the game with a team high two RBI's. Pitcher Aidan Post entered the ball game in the sixth and pitched his way out of a jam, going 2.2 innings allowing no-hits and striking out a batter.
Up next for the Lions is a Saturday Double-Header on April 24. These games will take place at Franklin College, with the first game starting at noon. For continued coverage of this baseball season and all other Mount athletics continue to follow msjlions.com
