Lions Fall Just Short to Cross-town Rival, Herrin Tigers

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Chris Clover, Sports Reporter

CARTERVILLE- With three games in the books this season, the Lions first loss came thanks to the excellent hitting of the Herrin Tigers. The Lions lost this game 8-5, despite starting out the game with a 5-1 lead. 

The Lions used three different pitchers to try and win. The starting pitcher was James Cravens, and he began the game sharply before losing his touch. As the Tigers’ offense began to roll in the 4th inning, Cravens was  relieved by junior, Braden Wright. He would only pitch to four hitters however, before he was relieved for shortstop, Peyton Bittle. Bittle would pitch the remainder of the game. 

Carterville started off the game like they have all season by scoring quickly. Blake Barnard would lead off the first inning  thanks to an error from the left fielder. Barnard would make his way home thanks to a double from Bittle, and then Bittle would find his way home thanks to Elijah Keim getting on base from an error by the third baseman. With Keim on third base, JD Dawson hit a single that would advance Keim home, making the score 3-0. 

Herrin struck back in the second inning by getting a single run, but it seemed at that point like it was going to be another Lions blowout. The Lions would break back into the run column in the bottom of the third, starting again with Barnard hitting a single. He would then steal second, and be driven in by a Keim double, making the score 4-1. Pestka was up next, and he hit a nice single that allowed  Kiem to make it all the way home, rounding out the scoring for  that inning, at 5-1. 

The next inning would be a disaster for the Lions, who would allow seven runs in this inning alone. That would draw the score up t0 8-5 in favor of the TIgers. 

The Lions would try to mount a comeback, but they would fail, as they only got on base twice after the fourth inning, one being by a walk. This is the first loss of the season however, and the Lions are still sitting with a 2-1-1 record on the season. The Lions next game is Friday at home against Carbondale.