FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2009

Lions explode for seven home runs in double-header sweep of SBU

Game one box | Game Two Box

Bolivar, Mo. - Jacob Taylor went 4-6, including tying the Missouri Southern single-season record for triples with his seventh of the season as the Missouri Southern Lions swept a doubleheader from the Southwest Baptist Bearcats Tuesday afternoon (Apr. 7) in Bolivar, Mo. The Lions won the opener 9-5 and then pounded the Bearcats 22-8 in the nightcap.

The Lions wasted little time getting going by quickly jumping out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning of the opener.

Zach Caldwell led off with a double and advanced to third after Skyler Rawlins reached on an error. Derek Ezell then promptly drove in the first two runs with a double to right center. Juan Hernandez continued the onslaught with an infield single that set the table for Shayne Hoke to deliver a three-run homer to put the Lions up 5-0.

Jason Asher scored SBU's first run of the game after hitting a lead-off triple in the bottom of the first and crossing the plate on a run-scoring single by Kyle Wise.

The Lions added to their four-run lead with a pair of runs in the fourth on a solo homer by Kenny Hart and an RBI triple from Taylor to go up 7-1.

Kyle Tormanen helped the Bearcats again get back to within four runs with a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning that made it 7-3.

Taylor began the seventh inning with a double and scored the Lions' eighth run on an error. The Lions again went up by six runs after Hernandez walked, stole second and scored on an RBI double from Trent Owens.

AJ Roller hit a two-run double in the bottom of the seventh for the Bearcats to create the final margin of 9-5.

Ryan Verfurth lasted the full seven innings for the Lions to earn the victory. Verfurth allowed five runs and struck out five.

Just like in the opener, the Lions pounded the Bearcats (7-27, 5-19 MIAA) early, this time with seven runs in the first frame.

Caldwell and Rawlins opened the game with back-to-back homers before Taylor hit his record-tying seventh triple and scored on an RBI groundout by Ezell. After Hernandez singled and stole second, Owens was hit by a pitch before Hoke brought both runners home with a two-run double. Tyler Tuthill then drew a walk and scored on another two-run double, this one by Caldwell that made it 7-0.

The Lions (23-13, 15-7 MIAA) led 10-1 after three innings before erupting for eight runs in the fourth for a commanding 18-1 advantage. The inning featured four RBI from Owens that included a two-run homer and a two-run single from the Lions' catcher.

The nightcap ended after seven innings due to the run rule.

Justin Beal was the winning pitcher after going five innings and giving up six runs with seven strikeouts.

Hoke went 5-6 as the Lions pounded out 27 hits in the second game, including five homers.

Overall in the doubleheader, the Lions hit seven homers, including two each from Rawlins and Hart. The Lions also collected a combined 38 hits in the two games.

The Lions will continue MIAA action with a doubleheader at Pittsburg State on Friday (Apr. 10) at 4 p.m. The Lions will then turnaround and host PSU on Saturday afternoon (Apr. 11) at noon at Joe Becker Stadium to conclude the four-game series.