Lions Swept By Union 13-3 and 12-0

Game Recaps + Baseball + Athletics
March 1, 2008
Box Score-Game 1 
                Barbourville, KY—The Lions jumped from the ‘frying pan into the fire’ on Saturday afternoon. After falling at home on Thursday to the NAIA’s 3rd ranked Lee University Flames, Bryan traveled to Barbourville, Kentucky to take on another nationally ranked opponent, the Union College Bulldogs. The doubleheader signaled the opening weekend of Appalachian Athletic Conference play, and the Lions were looking to set the tone for a successful year in the conference.
                A sharp single through the left side of the infield by Michael Kent (Sr., Lookout Mtn, TN) was all the Lions could manage in the top of the first inning as Union’s ‘ace’ Marty Popham looked strong early. Looking to shut down the Bulldogs for the Lions in Game One was Daniel Zimmerman(So., Grand View, TN) who has been solid on the mound for the Lions all year. Union attacked early and often, scoring 2 runs in the first inning and 4 in the second to take a 6-0 lead. The Bulldogs would tack on another run in the bottom of the 3rd which forced the Lions to bring Adam Polston (Fr., Palmyra, TN) on in relief of Zimmerman. Polston had more success than Zimmerman, but the Bulldogs remained hot and would score in every inning of the game except the 4th.
                Bryan managed to hit Popham hard, managing 8 hits over his 5 1/3 innings of work, scratching out a run in the top of the 4th and two more in the top of the 6th. Popham gave way to Union closer Russell Logsdon who threw 1 2/3 innings of no-hit ball to finish the game for the Bulldogs. Bryan could not find an answer for the Bulldogs, who banged out 13 hits, pushing 13 runs across for the victory. The game was called in 7 innings due to the 10-run mercy rule. Final Score: Union 13-Bryan 3.
                Game 2 was a chance for the Lions to get something going offensivlye after banging out 8 solid hits against Popham, the ace of Union’s staff. Marcus White, Union’s 2nd game starter, had other ideas in mind. The senior hurled 5 innings of 1 hit baseball, striking out 7 Lions and walking only 2 for the complete game victory. For Bryan, Ben Young(So., Baton Rouge, LA) took the mound and once again Union scored 2 runs in the first inning and 2 more in the third inning to take a 4-0 lead.
The Bulldogs exploded for 3 more in the bottom of the 4th before Young gave way to Mark Barnwell (Jr., Crab Orchard, TN). Barnwell had trouble with control walking three and allowing 2 hits in just 1/3 of an inning of work. The Bulldogs pushed 5 runs across against Barnwell, eventually chasing him from the game. Daniel Bosarge (Jr., Rome, GA) would come in and finish the inning without allowing a run, ending the 8 run frame. White retired the Lions in the 5th for the complete game victory. Final Score: Bulldogs 12- Lions 0.
Young took the loss for Bryan, allowing 7 runs on 7 hits in just 3 1/3 innings of work. JD Davis (Fr., Atlanta, GA) managed the only hit for the Lions, hitting a sharp single up the middle in the 3rd inning. White was credited with the complete game victory for Union.  Bryan will now regroup and head home for a Thursday afternoon doubleheader with Toccoa Falls College. First Pitch is set for 4 PM.