Storyline
With the season winding down the Lions are positioning themselves for another long post-season run. As of this weekend's games the Lions are just percentage points out of first place in the HAAC.

Over the next two weekends the team will have plenty of chances to climb up the standings. The Lions will have eight conference games over the week with four against Missouri Valley and four against Central Methodist. 
              
Last Week's Results
To start off the busy week the Lions took on Evangel in a four game weekend series. In the opening game the Lions won a slugfest, 12-10 and then swept the games on day one with a 7-6 win.

On the second day Evangel would get some revenge wining the first game of the day, 5-3. Lindenwood would answer right back winning the final game of the series, 9-1.

The Lions would travel to Lebannon, Illinois for a non-conference game against McKendree. Lindenwood would jump out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. The home team would answer with four runs of their own to take the lead. With the Bearcats leading 4-3 the Lions would answer right back with a huge five run inning.

Lindenwood would hold the lead for just two innings as McKendree would answer with a two-run bottom of the sixth inning, a single tally in the seventh and two more runs in the eighth to take a, 9-8 lead heading in to the ninth inning.

Shelby Anderson would tie the score in the ninth with a leadoff home run and Randy Serrato also connected on a home run to help the Lions win 12-9.

To wrap up the week the Lions took on No. 22 Avila in Kansas City. In the opening game of the day the Lions jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning and then would tack on runs in third and the fourth to take a 3-0 lead. Avila would cut the lead to one run with two runs in the home half of the sixth but the Lions would hold on for the win.

Game two was a pitchers duel from the opening pitch. Lions' starter Evan Vinyard started with four shutout innings and Avila starter, Taylor Monjo, shut out the Lions for five. Avila was the first offense to put a dent in the scoreboard with a single run in the fifth.

With Avila leading Lindenwood answered back with two runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 2-1 lead. But the Eagles would sore two in the bottom of the seventh to get the win.

Shelby The Leader
Shelby Anderson is having a career year and has emerged as one hitter in the lineup that teams fear. The Quincy, Illinois native leads the Lions in home runs (9), hits (39), RBI (39), at-bats (108), slugging percentage (.685), and games played (37). He is also second on the team in batting average (.361), second in runs scored (30) and second in doubles (8).

Second Inning Dominance
The second frame has been very friendly to the Lions this season. They have outscored their opponents 23-8 in the second inning this season.

Going The Distance
Already this season the team has six complete games. Zach Malawey leads the team with three, while Evan Vinyard, Andy Tretter and Randy Serrato each have one. A year ago the Lions compiled nine complete games.

Finishing Off Leads
Leading after five innings has been a key to the Lions success this season. The team is 25-2 when they have the lead after five innings.

Longballs = Wins
When the Lions' offense hits a home run the team is 12-1 and if they connect on two or more they have a perfect record of 4-0.

Scoring Early
Scoring in the first inning has been very productive for the Lions this season. When the team scores in the first inning the team is 13-2. They have out-scored their opponents 27-11 in first innings.

Piling Up The K's
The Lindenwood pitching staff is racking up the strikeouts in quick fashion. The staff has struck out 229 hitters, which is the 13th most in the country. Starters Evan Vinyard and Zach Malaway have combined for 112 strikeouts.

Home Cooking
The Lou Brock Sports Complex has been very friendly to the team this season.  They have compiled a record of 14-4 at home this season.

Dominating The Second
The second inning has been the most successful frame for the squad this season. Lindenwood has outscored their opponents 23-7 in the inning.

Errorless Baseball
When the team has committed one or no errors they are 21-4. On the contrary, if they commit two or more they have a record of 5-7.

Vinyard Climbing Charts
Evan Vinyard has continued his early season success and has climbed up the statistical charts. The lefty is leading the country in strikeouts (69), seventh in wins (6), eighth in strikeouts per nine innings (11.87) and 25th in innings pitched (52.1).   

HAAC Champs
For the second consecutive year the Lions were the HAAC Champs. In 2009 they complied a 32-8 conference record and also won four straight games in the conference tournament to be crowned the tourney champs.

Up Next
The team will travel to St. Ambrose for a weekend non-conference match-up. After the four game series the Lions will only have six games remaining.