HENDERSON, Ten. - On Friday afternoon, the University of Saint Francis Cougars (0-2) took on the RV Freed-Hardeman Lions (5-3) in Henderson, Tennessee but lost both games by scores of 10-0 and 13-4

In the opening game, junior pitcher Casey Henry took the mound to start for the Cougars and surrendered a third run to put the Lions on top 1-0. The Cougars tried to gain some momentum through the batting order, but ended up going cold. A solo homer by the Lions would extend the lead to 2-0. Henrys' day would end after a series of walks in the fifth, but both teams would remain scoreless headed into the 7^th inning. Jayden Lepper attempted a rally in the 7^th by hitting a single and stealing second, but the offense stalled out for the Cougars after this.

Matters didn't get better for the Cougars as a pair of singles in the bottom of the 7^th would put the Lions up 5-0. The next few plays would be the dagger for USF as a sacrifice fly, a double, and a two-run home run by the Lions would put them up 10-0 in the bottom of the 8^th inning. The game would end in a mercy rule, closing the first series for the Cougars.

In game two for the Cougars, Sophomore Lukas North would start on the mound for the Cougars. The Lions would start with a solo home run to go up 1-0. Another single in the 2^nd inning would extend the Lions' lead to 2-0, and North's day on the mound would end going into the 3^rd. The Cougars would struggled in the 3^rd inning, nearly pitching through their entire bullpen trying to close out the inning. The Lions would score on three separate three-run home runs and a line-drive double in the 3^rd extend their lead to 13-0 against the Cougars. 

USF responded to this by showcasing some offense of their own. Eli Riley would hit a line drive down left field to allow two runners to score cutting into the 13-run deficit, to trail 2-13 in the top of the 4^th. A pair of singles from Nick Parsons and Jayden Lepper allowed USF to add to the score making it 4-13. However, this would be the only offense the Cougars were able to display which ended abruptly in the 8^th inning.

The Cougars resume play Saturday February 10^th, remaining in Henderson, Tennessee to continue the four-game series against the RV Freed-Hardeman Lions with the doubleheader beginning at 1:00 pm.

Cougar fans stay updated with all events and recaps with USF Athletics by visiting saintfranciscougars.com or by downloading the Saint Francis Cougars app.

-Hayden Williamson-