February 9, 2008

Box Score 

                Dayton, TN—The Lions and Redmen returned to the field Saturday afternoon for a double-header which would complete their three game set. After leaving the winning run on base on Friday night, the Lions were eager to get on the field and get the bad taste out of their mouth. Taking the mound for the Lions in game one was Daniel Zimmerman, a sophomore who began to prove his ability to pitch in big games down the stretch for the Lions last season. Zimmerman had been sharp all fall and Lions’ Head Coach Joel Johnson was looking to the pitcher to get back in the win column.

                Once again the game was played in great weather, with the stands filled with fans and the feel of a late spring game, the teams took the field.  Rio Grande again struck early, pushing a run across to open the first frame, but the Lions answered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the 1^st. The lead was short-lived however as Rio answered right back with 3 more runs in the second. A Michael Kent solo homerun deep to left center would add to the Lions total, but Rio Grande also added another run and maintained a 5-4 lead.

                Each team scored two runs in the 5^th inning, and Rio would add two more in their half of the 6^th, but the Lions could not answer back, and heading into the 7^th and final inning, Bryan trailed by 3, 9-6. Michael Kent got on base to lead off the inning, and Brad Starnes hit a ball off the top of the wall in deep right center field, narrowly missing the 2-run homerun. Will Newman bunted Starnes to third, and J.D. Davis walked to put runners on first and third. Matt Hicks came to the plate with a chance to win the ballgame, but hit a sharp ground ball to shortstop and the game ended. Final Score: Rio Grande 9- Bryan 7.