Hanover, Indiana—After an out of conference schedule in which the Mount St. Joseph University Baseball program built an (8-7) record, they would begin Heartland Athletics Conference against Hanover College. This doubleheader between the conference rivals would produce two highly competitive games, with the Lions falling short
Game One: HC 15 MSJ 14
Game one of the two game series was highly entertaining, spanning 13 innings of play, lasting over four hours of play. In the visitors half of the first inning, Senior Tyrell Anderson would single to left field to drive in Ryan Murray. The Lions would add three more runs in the inning as they loaded the bases and the pitching staff of Hanover would walk home three consecutive batters, giving the Lions a comfortable 4-0 lead.
The Panthers of Hanover would add two runs to their cause in the bottom of the first inning, before the Mount would match the efforts with two runs in the top of the second. Josh Hagans would add a run for the Lions with a bases loaded fielders choice and Caleb Partin would help the Lions produce another run, leaving the Lions leading 6-2. Hanover would fire back with three runs of their own in the bottom of the second. This happened before the Lions would add another two runs to their cause in the already high scoring affair. First basemen, Max Kilne, would ground out to the Panther Shortstop to produce a run and Matt Brankamp would bounce into a fielders choice that scored Andrew Harrison from third. Growing their lead to 9-6.
Hanover would proceed to add a run in the bottom of the fourth inning, before the scoring slowed down for a brief moment. In the top of the seventh, the Lions would capitalize off several fielding mistakes by the Panthers, adding four insurance runs that stretched their lead to 14-7. Hanover would add two runs in the bottom of the seventh and eighth innings and with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Hanover would tie the game at 14-14. Both teams would hold each other scoreless for the next three and a half innings before Hanover was able to win in walk off fashion.
Despite the heartbreaking loss in game one, several Lions posted great performances. Partin would tally three RBI's, a double and a walk. Hagans and Matt Brankamp would total two RBI's each and Anderson, Austin Price and Kline would each record one RBI.
Game Two: HC 9 MSJ 5
The final game of the two game series would be a neck and neck contest once again. The Panthers would strike first, in the bottom of the second inning and again in their half of the fourth to take a 2-0 lead. In the top of the fifth the Lions would tie the game up, when Andrew Harrison singled into left center field, recording two RBI's to tie the game.
Hanover would score again in the bottom of the fifth, however the Lions offense would continue to battle their way into the game. In the top of the sixth, Anton Mere would single into left field, driving in Hagans from second base. Later, Ryan Murray would ground out to second base which would prove enough to score Partin from third. This would serve as the Lions first lead of game two.
Once again the Panthers would answer in impressive fashion, plating three runs to go-ahead 6-4. In the top of the seventh inning Anderson would double into left field and get driven in by Hagans to inch closer to Hanover. However in the home half of the seventh, the Panthers would match the Lions efforts with a run of their own. A scoreless top of the eighth by the Mount and a two run inning by Hanover would send the Lions into the top of the ninth trailing by four.
The top of the ninth inning would go by quickly with the Lions unable to produce any runs. Taking a look into the stats, Harrison would finish the game with one hit and two RBI's. Murray. Hagans and Mere would each record an RBI each in the game.
The Lions will be back in action on Wednesday, March 30 when they travel to Berea College. First pitch is scheduled for 5 PM. For continued coverage of this upcoming game and all other MSJ Athletics, continue to follow msjlions.com
