ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The Lindenwood baseball team (24-19, 10-8 OVC) secured a massive series win with a 3-0 shutout victory over Little Rock (26-19, 12-6 OVC) on Sunday afternoon. The Lions have now won four consecutive OVC series with a 10-2 conference record since the calendar turned to April.

Lucas Niemeyer and Easton Rakers were nearly untouchable on the mound for LU, combining for the Lions' first shutout of OVC play. Niemeyer picked up his second win of the season after surrendering just five hits through the game's first 5.2 innings, while Rakers allowed just one hit with a strikeout through the final 3.1 innings to record his team-leading fifth save of the year.

Spencer Pederson led the way for a Lindenwood offense that totaled seven hits on the afternoon. In his first appearance since late March, Pederson went 2-3 with a triple, an RBI, and one run scored.

How it Happened
After a Jake Radosevich base hit and fielding error put two on with one out in the bottom of the first, William Zareh smoked one to the gap in left field to drive in the game's first run. However, the Lions were unable to add any more runs after Zareh was doubled up trying to get back to second after a line out to third base.

The next major scoring threat of the game came in the top of the sixth when Little Rock loaded the bases with two outs. However, Easton Rakers was called into duty out of the bullpen and ended the frame with a three-pitch swinging strikeout to keep the one run lead intact.

With the Lions still clinging to a one-run lead in the bottom of the seventh, Kam Edwards drew a one out walk before moving into scoring position on a wild pitch. Spencer Pederson then crushed a ball to the gap in right center for an RBI triple before also coming home to score on the play after the Little Rock center fielder air mailed a throw into the Trojans' dugout on the relay.

Now with a three-run cushion, Rakers worked through the final two innings while allowing just one hit – a two-out single in the bottom of the ninth – to secure the statement win for Lindenwood.

Next Up
The Lions close out the homestand with a midweek contest against Southern Illinois at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28^th before heading across the river for a big three-game OVC clash against SIUE. Game one against the Cougars is scheduled for Friday, May 1^st at 6:00 p.m.