HENDERSON, Tenn. - A two-run home run by
Natalie Wandrie in the top of the seventh inning propelled No. 11 Lindsey Wilson to a 5-4 victory and series sweep of Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) on Saturday.
Sam Hartman led off the final frame with a single hit deep in the hole at short stop, then Wandrie stepped up and undoubtably rocked a 3-1 pitch over the left field fence. The junior's second home run of the game ultimately stood the test of the next half-inning as
Kayden Murray and the defense put down the Lions' 2-3-4 hitters in order to seal the deal.
Freed-Hardeman struck first in its first at-bat of the day, taking a 2-0 lead. The Blue Raiders responded in the visitor's half of the second inning with consecutive bases-loaded walks to tie the game.
The Lions edged back in front in the bottom of the second, but Wandrie wasted no time drawing her side level with a solo blast to lead off the third.
Following a scoreless fourth inning, the hosts regained their one-run lead in the fifth. Freed-Hardeman nearly added a second run later in the at-bat. However, Hartman had other plans. With a runner on second base, the Lions dropped a single into right field and showed no hesitation to send their runner home. Hartman played the ball from the grass and came up firing to
Emerson McKinnis at the plate, who turned and swiped out the runner as she slid for home.
From there, the Blue Raider defense retired the six remaining outs in succession, setting up Wandrie's heroism.
Murray locked up the complete-game win with two strikeouts and four earned runs allowed on 11 hits.
Lindsey Wilson closes the regular season next weekend, April 24-25, against Campbellsville (Ky.) at Marilyn D. Sparks Park.
