Box Score The Lindenwood baseball team earned a big win on Friday night beating Central Oklahoma 7-4 at the Lou Brock Sports Complex in St. Charles, Mo.

Central Oklahoma jumped on the board first with one run in the top of the first inning.  The Lions responded in the bottom of the second when Kyle Leslie hit a two-out double to keep the inning alive.  Zach Kurzejeski put the ball in play for a single and Leslie moved to third on the play and then scored on a fielding error by the second baseman.

The Bronchos regained the lead in the top of the third with one run, but again the Lions fought back.  Jerry Roam started the bottom of the inning with a triple to the gap and scored on a Marshall Vallandingham single.  With two outs Vallandingham stole second to move into scoring position.  Later in the inning Vallandingham advanced to third on a Mike Wilson single and again a misplay by the Bronchos allowed the Lions to score and take a 3-2 lead.

The Lions added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth started by a Nathan Prindle infield single.  Prindle moved to second as Ryan Light reached on a fielding error and both runners moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt by Mike Wilson.  Leslie grounded out to second base leaving room for Prindle to score and Light advanced to third.  Kurzejeski put the ball in play with two outs and was able to reach on another Broncho fielding error allowing Light to score.  Lindenwood increased its lead to 5-2 after five innings of play.

The offense stayed hot for the Lions in the bottom of the sixth starting with a one-out walk by Vallandingham who advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Prindle was hit by a pitch and Light singled to score Vallandingham while Prindle moved to third.  Wilson hit a single to drive in Prindle and the Lions held a 7-2 lead after six innings.

Starting pitcher Austin Klein tossed five strong innings for Lindenwood allowing just two runs on four hits.  Devin Breihan and Wade Rothermich threw a combined four innings, allowed two runs, and struck out five batters in relief of Klein.  Wilson led the Lions at the dish with three hits to help Lindenwood hand Central Oklahoma pitcher, Ricky Reeves his first loss of the season.

Lindenwood improves to 15-22 on the season and move to 12-14 in the MIAA.  The Lions will close out the four-game series with Central Oklahoma on Saturday for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. at the Lou Brock Sports Complex in St. Charles, Mo.