The Lindenwood baseball team pounded out 16 hits on Friday night during a 6-2 win over Avila in the first round of the HAAC Tournament in St. Joseph, Mo.

The Lions took an early 2-0 lead with runs in both the first and second innings. Lindenwood then opened up some breathing room with four more runs in innings five, six, and seven. Avila had half of its six hits and both of its runs in its final two at-bats, but it came up one runner short of having the tying run come up to the plate in the ninth inning.

Mike Moore led the offense with four hits and he scored twice. Zach Loraine and Jason Striegel each added three hits. Crispin Tarango and Matt Tellor had a pair of hits apiece. Tellor also added two RBIs.

On the mound, Zac Pearman went 7 1/3 innings and allowed just four hits and one run. He struck out two and walked two. Ryan Griffin recorded the final five outs and allowed two hits and one run.

Lindenwood will next play MidAmerica Nazarene on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. in the second round of the tournament. The Lions are now 32-21 on the season.