The Lindenwood Lions baseball team fell in the semifinals of the HAAC Tournament on Monday afternoon in St. Joseph, Mo. against William Jewell 8-5.

Lindenwood took the early lead in the top of the first inning with a single run. After that run, it was all William Jewell. The Cardinals answered right back with a run in the bottom of the first inning, and broke the contest open in the second inning with a five-run frame.

Heading into the bottom of the second inning, William Jewell was leading 6-1. The Lions cut into the lead in the fifth inning with two runs, but the Cardinals quickly responded in the bottom of the half inning by scoring a single tally.

Once again, in the sixth inning, Lindenwood cut into the lead with a run. But again, William Jewell answered with a run of its own to keep a four-run lead.

In the top of the ninth inning, the Lions brought the tying to the plate but Jason Striegel lined out to left field and Lindenwood fell 8-5.

Daniel Sandello led the way for Lindenwood going four for five at the plate. Mike Moore and Adam Peacock chipped in with three hits apiece, and Carlos Pianetta drove in two runs.

John Piontek started on the hill for the Lions, but he lasted just one and two thirds of an inning, surrendering five earned runs on three hits. Ryan Griffin came out of the bullpen and pitched the final seven and one third of an inning.

With the loss, the Lions drop into the bottom half the bracket and will have to win three consecutive games to win the tournament. The run back to the championship series starts with a game against the winner of the MidAmerica Nazarene and Culver-Stockton game.  The game against the winner will take place Monday night at 7:00 p.m.