Berea, Kentucky—Following a tough pair of losses on Tuesday, the Mount St. Joseph University Baseball program had an opportunity for redemption. In their third game in two days, the Lions would take to the road to play Berea College. Entering the game, the Lions posted an (8-9) overall record, while Berea came into the game with an overall record of (3-17). The Mount would fall short in an offensive showcase 16-15.
The Lions would start hot, plating three runs in the top of the first. Leadoff batter, Austin Price would double and Second Basemen, Jake Lawson would exchange places with an RBI double of his own. After drawing several walks, Tyler Herbers would do the same to push the second run of the game across the plate. Then Joshua Hagans would hit a sacrifice fly to go-ahead 3-0. Berea would add one run in their half of the first, drawing the lead to 3-1.
In the top of the second, the Lions would add another run, when Ryan Murray hit an RBI single up the middle. Moving forward to the top of the third, Zach McKenna would drive in a run, via a single. After being retired quickly in the top of the fourth, the Lions would add to their lead in the fifth. Hagans would take a big swing at the ball, driving a two run home run. Fast forward to later in the inning, Price would drive another runner home with a sacrifice fly. Now leading 8-3, Murray would continue his impressive game, hitting a solo home run. This was the start of a huge production of runs the pair of McKenna and Carter Owen doubled in back to back at-bats to add three more runs, later in the inning Price would double again to add the fifth run of the sixth, now 13-3.
Berea would not go away, pouring on an unbelievable 11 runs in the bottom of the sixth. Entering the seventh, the Lions trailed for the first time. The seventh would go by quickly with both teams not pushing a run across the plate for the first time in game. Price would tie the game up for the Lions, bouncing into a fielders choice, scoring Pedro Munoz from third. Now tied at 14 all, Berea would strike for two runs in their last scoring opportunity.
The Mount would make their best efforts at extending the game, closing the deficit to one when McKenna hit an RBI single. However the staff of Berea would close the door on tying the game up at this point, ending the game with a final score of 16-15.
Looking into the boxscore, Price put together a solid game, going three for six from the plate, including two doubles. He did this while driving in three runs, scoring two himself and stealing a base. McKenna also had a massive showing, going four for six with a team high four RBIs. The pair of Hagans and Murray each recorded a home run in the game.
Following this game the Lions will begin to prepare for the upcoming Heartland Conference battle with the red hot Quakers of Earlham College. Game one of this doubleheader will be played in Florence, Kentucky with first pitch scheduled for 2 PM and game two starting at 5 PM. For continued coverage of this upcoming series and all other MSJ Athletics, continue to follow msjlions.com
