The Lindenwood baseball team (8-21, 2-5 OVC) dropped the first game of its series with Southern Indiana (14-16, 4-3 OVC) by a score of 9-4 on Friday night in Evansville, Ind.

GAME OVERVIEW
The Lions jumped out to an early lead in the first after Colin Shea and Dawson Hokuf registered opening inning singles, Bryson Arnette drove in Shea with a sac fly to put Lindenwood up 1-0 after a half inning. Southern Indiana responded quickly with two in the bottom half to take a 2-1 lead after an inning of play. The Screaming Eagles kept the pressure on and put up four more runs in the bottom of the second to grab a 6-1 lead heading to the third.

Bennett Stice came in from the bullpen and settled things down with three scoreless innings, including a trio of strikeouts. As a result, the Lions were able to chip away as with the first three batters reaching base in the top of the seventh. Filip Sarota drove in a pair of runs with a two RBI double, but Southern Indiana was able to escape without any further damage as the score was 6-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh.

Southern Indiana added a run in the bottom of the seventh to restore a four-run lead. The Lions kept battling and loaded the bases in the top of the eighth which resulted in one run. James Jett was hit by a pitch that brought home Tyson Ludwig, making the score 7-4. The Screaming Eagles were able to wiggle out of the jam, however and maintain a three-run lead. Once again, Southern Indiana responded with two runs in the bottom half. Lindenwood was unable to score again, falling 9-4 in the series opener.

GAME LEADERS
Filip Sarota (1-4, two RBI)
Bennett Stice (3.1 IP, 0 ER)
James Jett (1-3, 1 RBI)

UP NEXT
These two teams will continue their series tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 p.m. in Evansville, Ind.