Lions late push falls short versus L-R

FLORENCE, S.C. - The Mars Hill baseball team (0-3) was downed 9-4 by Lenoir-Rhyne (2-1) Sunday afternoon.

A five-run seventh inning by the Bears was the catalyst for their second win of the season.  Leading 2-0 entering the frame, the Bears doubled their lead with a two-run single off the bat of Alex Ferlenda.  A RBI groundout from Damian Pierce was followed by a RBI single by Connor Smith to put Lenoir-Rhyne up 6-0. 

Tacking on another run in the top of the eighth, the Bears lead 8-0 over Mars Hill.  The Lions began to claw their way back into the contest, scoring four runs in the bottom of the eighth.  After breaking the shutout bid by scoring on a wild pitch, a RBI single from Gage Smith plated Trevor Bailey for the Lions' second run of the game.  Another Lenoir-Rhyne error saw Paul Martin score and later in the frame, Smith was plated off of a Kameron Reynolds' sacrifice fly.

Mike McHugh opened the scoring in the top of the fourth with an infield single, plating Ferlenda.  Cobrin Watson, in the top of the sixth, reached on a double that saw Smith score the second run of the game.

John Grigg earned the win, striking out eight and allowing two hits in five innings.  Luke Kimrey suffered the loss, allowing two runs on five hits in six innings while striking out three batters.

The Lions open their home schedule on Tuesday, February 4 when they host Augusta.  First pitch at Henderson Field is scheduled for 2 p.m.