HENDERSON, Tenn. – The William Woods University baseball teams nine-game winning streak came to an end on Thursday afternoon when Freed-Hardeman University defeated the Owls 3-2. The Lions scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth.
 
Taran Oulton started for the Owls and allowed two runs in eight innings of work. He struck nine Lions in the contest. Frankie Valle drove in the tying run for the Owls in the seventh inning.
 
The Owls close out the three-game set with Freed-Hardeman University on Friday, March 9th when they a doubleheader. First-pitch is set for 1 p.m.
 
Game Flow
After a scoreless top of the first, the Lions scored in their first at bat. With a leadoff single by Bryce Lester, he advanced to third after a double by teammate Aden Campbell. Josh Sears hit a ground ball to third base and the Owls threw Lester out at home. Collin McPherson singled which scored Campell putting the Lions ahead, 1-0.  

After the first inning, both teams had opportunities to score but could not take advantage until the seventh inning. The Owls were able to push one across when Patrick Dillon reached on a walk and Josh Nicol was successful in moving him over with a sacrifice bunt. Dillon advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball, tying the game at 1-1.

The Lions then added another run to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth when Sears hit a leadoff single and Darcy Moore followed with another single. Both advanced to third on a wild pitch. De'Mikyle Homles followed with a sacrifice fly scoring one, putting the Lions ahead, 2-1.

The Owls would tie it again in the top of the ninth with two outs. Patrick Dillon singled, and Connor Poulson reached on a walk. Frankie Valle singled and scoring Dillon from second and tying the game at 2-2.

Freed-Hardeman had their last chance to score in the bottom of the ninth and they were able to squeeze a run in after a single, a stolen base and an Owls error, the Owls were forced to load the bases. Unfortunately, the Owls were not able to keep the Lions from crossing the plate and Collin Baber scored on a stolen base. With the run, the Lions ended the Owls nine game winning streak with a 3-2 victory over WWU.
 
By the Numbers
2 – WWU scored two runs in the first game of the series
5 – William Woods had five hits in the contest
5 – The Owls drew five walks in the game
5 – Five different Owls had a hit in the game
1 – Frankie Valle collected one RBI in the game
9 – Taran Oulton struck out nine Lions in the game
12 – The Owls batters struck out 12 times in the game
 
Starting Pitcher Lines
WWU – Taran Oulton, 8 IP, 9H, 2R (2ER), 1BBs, 9Ks
FHU – Austin Steel, 7 IP, 3H, 1R (1ER), 4BBs, 8Ks