Florence, Kentucky—The Mount St. Joseph University Baseball program took the field this afternoon to play the Comets of Olivet College. Entering this game the Lions carried a (5-7) overall record, while the visiting Comets would enter the ball game at (5-5). After exciting action, the Lions earned their
Jacob Hughes would start the game on the mound for the Lions, retiring the Comets in order in the visitors half of the first. The first two Mount batters were quickly retired, before Andrew Harrison began a small two-out rally with a double into left centerfield. This would be followed by a Tyrell Anderson walk and a single into left field by Joshua Hagans. With the bases loaded Max Kline drove a hard line drive, that would be snagged by the Olivet second basemen to end the inning.
The top of the first inning saw the first score of the game, as Olivet would tally a double, that would later score on a hard grounder down the first base line that would take a bad-bounce into shallow right field, taking a 1-0 lead. In the Lions half of the second inning Tyler Herbers would lead off the inning with a single that he took right up middle and Austin Price would sneak a single between the first and second basemen to be in a great position. However a one out fly out to Centerfield followed Price getting stuck in a pickle would flame out the Lions scoring opportunity.
Trailing 1-0 into the third inning, the Comets would add to their lead with a sacrifice fly into deep left field bringing the score to 2-0, before Hughes retired the side with his great left handed pickoff move to first base. In the bottom of the third Ryan Murray would draw a leadoff walk, needing only four pitches to do so, however the next three Lions would be retired in order on great defensive plays.
Olivet would open the fourth with a double hit into deep left field and get moved to third on a dribbling grounder. A great play by the Shortstop, Pedro Munoz up the middle would hold the Olivet runner at third and Hughes would get the third out on a strikeout to hold the score at 2-0. Herbers would continue his impressive day at the plate with a single into shallow left field, carrying right over the glove of the shortstop. Price would follow this up with his second hit of the afternoon into centerfield before being stopped short of plating a run.
The bottom of the fifth inning would see the Lions plate their first two runs of the ballgame. Murray would leadoff the inning and drive his second home run of the season. Anderson would then smash a double into left field, allowing a Max Kline single to score him and bring the score to 3-2.
In the top of the eighth inning the Comets would strike for two runs to bring the score to 5-2. The Lions would cut into this lead in the home half of the inning as the Lions would put two runners on base Caleb Partin would reach base on an error and Lawson would chop a light hit into shallow left field. Murray would draw a walk on a long at bat to set the stage for Harrison who would hit into a fielders choice, that the Olivet second basemen, trying to turn a double play bobbled the ball to keep the bases loaded. Anderson would then sacrifice into right field, moving Murray to third and holding Harrison to first. This would be the final score of the bottom of the inning, sending the Lions into the final inning trailing 5-4.
Starting the ninth, Olivet would collect a run extending their lead to 6-4. However a two-out rally in the bottom of the ninth started by a Partin single and Jake Lawson double over the Olivet right fielder, setting the stage for Murray. Murray got his pitch to hit and drove his second home run of day and walk it off as the Lions win 7-6.
In the impressive win for the Lions, there were several players that turned in great games. Murray went three for four at in the box, including two RBI's and two home runs. Anderson, Harrison and Partin each collected an RBI in their efforts. Lawson turned in a great start going 7.1 innings of work, allowing four earned runs and striking out five batters. Mason Jewell entered the game in relief.
The Lions will complete the three game weekend series with Olivet on Sunday, March 20. For continued coverage of this upcoming double-header and all other MSJ Athletics continue to follow msjlions.com
