ST. LOUIS, Mo. --Senior Joe Copeland collected four hits to help propel the Lindenwood baseball team (11-41) past the Saint Louis Billikens (27-21) by a final of 9-1 on Tuesday.
Freshman Michael Walsh (2-4) started on the mound and picked up the win for Lindenwood. The right-hander went three shutout innings while giving up one hit, allowing one walk and striking out two. Junior Jett Jackson also made an impact on the mound for the Lions, throwing two shutout innings while allowing no hits, with one walk and three strikeouts.
In addition to his four hits, Copeland had two doubles, a home run and three RBI to lead the Lions. Freshman Landon Willbrand put together a noteworthy performance as well, going 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBI. Sophomore Marcus Heusohn also chipped in for Lindenwood, putting together two hits in five trips to the plate while adding a double.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lions got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Junior Tyson Ludwig came across to score the lone run of the inning for Lindenwood and get them on the board.
The Lions then held the Billikens scoreless before expanding their lead in the fourth inning. Lindenwood hit two home runs in the inning on the way to pushing six runs across. which brought the score to 7-0 in favor of the Lions.
Saint Louis narrowed Lindenwood's lead to 7-1 before the Lions stretched the advantage to 8-1 in the eighth inning.
Lindenwood held the Billikens without a run before their offense got back in action the next inning. Sophomore Ambrose Russo crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Lions, bringing the score to 9-1 in favor of Lindenwood. The score remained 9-1 for the rest of the game, as the Lions coasted to the win.
GAME NOTES
» Copeland racked up four hits on the day for Lindenwood.
» Lindenwood got an outstanding power hitting day from Copeland, who reached safely with three extra base hits.
» Copeland and Willbrand drove in three runs each for the Lions.
» Lindenwood's highest scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed six runs across.
» Lindenwood grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Lions out-hit the Billikens at a 10-5 clip.
» Lindenwood pitchers faced 38 Saint Louis hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and 12 fly balls while striking out nine.
» The Lions drew four walks from Saint Louis pitching.
» Copeland led the Lions at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, a home run and three RBI.
UP NEXT
Lindenwood will close out the regular season this weekend for a three-game set against SIUE starting on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at Lou Brock Sports Complex in St. Charles, Mo.
