The Lindenwood Lions baseball team ended its 2011 season on Monday night after a 5-4 loss to MidAmerica Nazarene in the HAAC Tournament in St. Joseph, Mo.
MidAmerica took the early lead scoring a single tally in the first inning and two more in the third inning. Lindenwood had numerous opportunities to break through, but could not get the big hit when it needed it. For the game, the Lions left 12 runners on base.
The Pioneers added to their lead in the sixth inning with a run to extend the advantage to 4-0. Finally, in the bottom of the seventh inning Lindenwood got on the scoreboard with two runs. The lead for MidAmerica was down to two.
Trailing by two, heading into the bottom of the ninth inning the Lions were down to their final three outs. The frame started with Jason Striegel who drew a walk. The tying run was now on first base. The next two hitters, Adam Peacock and Mike Moore, both struck out leaving Streigel at first base.
Shelby Anderson extended the game with a walk and Crispin Tarango was the Lions' final hope. Tarango was down to his final strike when he popped up. The pop fly was dropped by the Pioneers and both runners came around to score, tying the game up at four.
The contest headed into extra innings and the Pioneers struck first scoring a run in the top of the 10th inning. Once again, the Lions put themselves in a position to win or at least tie the game. Lindenwood had the tying run at third base and the winning run at second base with Adam Peacock at the plate. With a full count and two outs, Peacock struck out and Lindenwood fell 5-4.
Carlos Pianetta led the way for the Lions with two hits in three at bats. Tarango drove in two runs and Peacock drove in one of his own.
Zac Pearman started on the hill for Lindenwood and pitched nine innings giving up three runs while striking out six.
The loss against MidAmerica ends the Lions season with an overall record of 33-23.
