MARION, Ill. - Lindenwood baseball (30-28) reached the 30-win mark for the first time since the 2021 season on Thursday as they advanced to the Ohio Valley Conference Championships semifinals with a 7-4 victory over #2 SIUE. The win marks the third straight for the Lions this weekend as they look to clinch a berth in the OVC Championship game.

KEY STATS
Eli Brown: W (4-8), 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 6 K
Evan Funkhouser: 2-3, HR, 2 RBI, R
Bryson Arnette: 2-5, 2B, RBI, 2 R
Brodie Short: 2-4, 2 RBI
Bennett Stice: S (5), 3.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 4 K

Brown in his OVC Championship debut on the mound made quick work in the first inning putting up the first of six shutout innings. Lindenwood got on the board early in the second after the Lions loaded the bases. Short and Funkhouser both drove in runs as the Lions took the early 2-0 lead.
 
Short added his second RBI of the day in the fourth inning after singling to right center field scoring Arnette. Brown would allow his first hit of the game in the fourth inning, but the Lions turned the 6-4-3 double play to get out of the inning.

The Lions poured on two more runs in the sixth inning after Arnette doubled to right center scoring Filip Sarota. Kam Edwards later walked in a run with the bases loaded putting Lindenwood in the driver's seat 6-0. SIUE got on the board in the seventh off of Brown scoring two runs to cut into the lead.

Both teams scored one run in the eight and one in the ninth including a Funkhouser solo home run and a RBI single by Jake Radosevich as the Lions claimed victorious for their 30th win of the season. This marks the fourth time since the 2012 season (NCAA era - present) that the Lions have reached the 30 win mark.

Lindenwood will continue their run in the winner's bracket as they take on #8 Little Rock on Friday, May 23rd at 2:00 p.m. CT for a chance at the OVC Championship game. The loser will play either EIU or SIUE on Friday evening in an elimination game. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.