The Lindenwood baseball team kicked off the 2011 season winning a pair of games Saturday afternoon in Montgomery, Ala. The Lions beat Milligan 4-3 in the season opener and then finished the day with a 3-1 win over Auburn Montgomery.
In the first game of the day, Milligan jumped out to an early lead after the Buffaloes scored two runs in the top of the second inning.
The Lions cut the lead in half with a single run in the fourth, and in the fifth the Lions offense came alive. Lindenwood's first two hitters went down in order but after a Carlos Pianetta walk the Lions erupted for three straight extra base hits. Mario Parra doubled to put runners at second and third, followed by a Dylan Lowery triple, which scored two runs. The rally was capped off by an Adam Peacock double, which scored Lowery.
The Buffaloes scored a run in the sixth to cut the lead to one, but closer Jeff Wilkins shut the door to pick up his first save of the season. Evan Vinyard started for Lindenwood and went five innings giving up two runs on five hits. He also struck out three while winning his first game of the season.
Lindenwood outhit Milligan eight to three with Mario Parra and Peacock leading the team with two hits apiece.
In the final game of the day, against Auburn Montgomery, the Lions took an early 1-0 lead with a run in the second ining. Auburn Montgomery answered right back to tie the score in the third inning.
The game stayed tied until the bottom of the fifth inning when Peacock drove in the eventual game-winning run on a single. Lindenwood added an insurance run in the sixth inning and rolled to the 3-1 lead.
Cody Trudell, who was making his Lindenwood debut, threw a complete game and only surrendering the one run. Trudell allowed five hits but struck out eight, and walked one.
Crispin Tarango led the way for the lions going three for three at the plate with a RBI. Kyle Little and Peacock also drove in runs.
For the third straight season the Lions have started their season with wins in their first two games. The Lions will be back in action tomorrow afternoon, with a game against Savannah College of Arts and Design and Faulkner University.
