The No. 6 Lindenwood baseball team (1-0, 0-0 GLVC) opened the 2021 season with a victory on Friday, as the Lions defeated Truman State (0-1, 0-0 GLVC) by a final score of 7-0 at Lou Brock Sports Complex in St. Charles, Mo.
 
GAME OVERVIEW
Kyle Hentis gave the Lions a great start to open the year, as the Red Bud, Ill. native sat down the first three batters in order.  After surrendering a single to start the second inning, Hentis compiled four consecutive strikeouts and found his groove.  Lindenwood surrendered two runners in each of the first three innings, and finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth.
 
With runners at the corners, Will Lanxon drove the ball to left center to leg out a triple as the two runners crossed the plate.  Bryce Beckmann hammered the ball up the middle in the next at bat to make it a 3-0 lead for the Lions.  Alex Canty led off the sixth inning with a solo blast to left center, extending the gap to 4-0.  In the top of the seventh, Hentis recorded back-to-back strikeouts to start the frame.  After a single and a hit-by-pitch, Hentis tallied his third strikeout of the inning, but the runner advanced to first on a dropped third strike.  The 6-3 senior stayed calm and closed out the inning with his fourth strikeout of the inning, keeping the shutout alive.
 
Niko Marshall pitched the final two innings for the Lions, as he tallied two strikeouts and allowed just one hit.  Lindenwood added a pair of runs in the seventh inning, as the Lions closed out the first game of the season with a 7-0 victory.
 
GAME LEADERS
Kyle Hentis (7.0 IP, 11 K, 0 ER, 4 H, 0 BB)
Will Lanxon (3-for-4, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 BB, 1 SB)
Alex Canty (3-for-5, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 HR)
 
UP NEXT
The Lions will continue their four-game series with Truman State on Saturday, as first pitch of the double header will start at 1:00 p.m. at Lou Brock Sports Complex in St. Charles, Mo.