The Lindenwood baseball team defeated Northwest Missouri by a final score of 3-2, to open a three-game weekend series against Northwest Missouri on Friday afternoon at the Lou Brock Complex in St. Charles, Mo.
 
The Lions and Bearcats posted zeros into the top of the seventh inning as both starting pitchers avoided any significant jams. Lindenwood's starting pitcher Connor Law picked off two of the nine base runners he allowed during the first six innings of play.  On the hill for Northwest Missouri, Joseph Hietpas struck out six batters through the first six innings, allowing just two hits.
 
Opening the seventh inning, the Bearcats received a single from Jake Lewis. Lewis would advance to third base behind a fielder's choice and a passed ball. With two outs and Lewis standing on third base, Kolby Greenslade beat out a slow rolling groundball to second base, scoring Lewis.
 
The Lions would come to bat in the bottom of the seventh and muster a rally of their own, loading the bases with two outs. Drew Quinones grounded out to second base, and the game moved to the eighth inning with the Bearcats in front by a score of 1-0.
 
Austin Meine took the hill for the eighth inning, retiring the side in order. With one out in the bottom-half of the eighth frame, Sam Baxter picked up his second hit of the game, singling on an infield chopper to third base.  Baxter would move himself into scoring position with a steal of second base, but would advance no further as the Lions stranded their 10th runner of the game.
 
Northwest Missouri would add an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning, taking a 2-0 lead into the final half inning.
 
Lucas Tibbs began the bottom of the ninth inning with a groundout to second base. The Tibbs groundout was followed by consecutive singles from Zac Perkins and Wes Degener. Nathan Prindle promptly singled to left field, scoring Perkins from second base and advancing Degener to third. Quinones was up next for Lindenwood, and on the first pitch of his at bat he singled to left field. The ball was misplayed by the leftfielder, allowing both Degener and Prindle to score, giving the Lions a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory.
 
The winning pitcher for the Lions was Jevon Boyd, who improves his record to 1-1 on the season. Boyd pitched 0.2 innings, retiring the final two Bearcats in the top of the ninth inning.
 
The Lions are now 7-4 on the season and 2-2 in MIAA play after the walk-off victory. Northwest Missouri sees its record move 7-6 on the year and 2-2 in conference play. The two teams will return to the Lou Brock Complex for game two of the weekend series tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m.