April 14, 2008

                Dayton, Tn.—After a weekend sweep of Virginia Intermont College to move into 6^th place in the Appalachian Athletic Conference standings, the Lions took the field again Monday night against the Chargers of Atlanta Christian College for another twin bill, looking to extend their winning streak to 4 games. After scoring 26 runs in two games on Saturday, Bryan continued its hot hitting on Monday night, winning both games by the NAIA’s 10-run mercy rule.

                Jeremiah Peters (Sr., Sherwood, AR) took the mound for the Lions in game 1, hoping to keep the Chargers in check, and was helped out by an 18 run outburst from his teammates, on the strength of a 14 hit attack which included 5 doubles and a homerun for the Lions. Peters struggled to keep the big lead, allowing the Chargers to post 7 runs in 2 2/3 innings of work before giving way to Adam Polston (Fr., Palmyra, TN) who was perfect over the next 2 1/3 innings. Polston was credited with the win, his 3^rd in as many games out of the bullpen.

                After an 8 run 1^st inning, the Lions scored 1 in the 2^nd, 4 in the 3^rd and 4 in the 4^th to seal the victory. Bryan was led at the plate by Jeremy Potts (Sr., Danville, KY) who was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with 3 RBI and Michael Kent (Sr., Lookout Mtn, GA) who was 2-for-4 with a homerun, driving in 3 runs in the contest.

                Matt Hicks (Jr., Soddy Daisy, TN) took the mound in game 2, and continued his winning ways, throwing a complete game victory for the Lions in the 14-3 contest which was shortened by the 10-run mercy rule as well. Hicks also led the way at the plate for the Lions, going 2-for-4 and driving in 4 runs on the night and adding his 2^nd homerun in the last 4 games. Gabe Keen (Jr., Dayton, TN) also homered for the Lions in the victory, his 3^rd round-tripper of the year. Keen finished 2-for-3 on the night with 4 runs driven in. Brad Starnes (Sr., Matthews, NC) continued his torrid hitting, going 2-for-2 and driving in 3 runs for the Lions. Both Starnes and Hicks have played large roles in the current win-streak, which includes 7 victories in the team’s last 8 games.

                The sweep brings the Lions’ record to 18-22, and 6-8 in AAC play. Heading into this weekend’s contest with Tennessee Wesleyan College, the Lions are currently in 6^th place in the Appalachian Athletic Conference, and  with the top 8 teams making the AAC Post-season tournament, the Lions seem to be in a good position to do so.The team will not be complacent with their 6th place standing, but would like to continue to gain momentum as they come down to the last few weeks of the season. The weekend’s doubleheader is scheduled for a 1 o’clock start at Tennessee Wesleyan in Athens, TN. The Lions have never beaten the Bulldogs, but are primed for an upset as they head into the weekend.