Freed-Hardeman edges Blue Mountain 7-6 in ninth-inning thriller

Henderson, Tenn. — The Blue Mountain Toppers lost 7-6 to Freed-Hardeman in a nine-inning, out-of-conference game Tuesday. The Lions took an early lead and held off a late rally by the Toppers.

Freed-Hardeman scored three runs in the first three innings, capitalizing on a sacrifice bunt, a solo home run, and a wild pitch. They added one more run in the fourth to lead 4-0. The Toppers responded in the fourth inning with an RBI double from Ross Polizzi that scored Yaidel Perez.

Blue Mountain surged ahead in the fifth, highlighted by a three-run homer from Jacob Bryant that tied the game at 4-4. Freed-Hardeman answered with a solo shot in the bottom half, reclaiming a 5-4 lead. The Toppers took the lead in the sixth after Jake Meilstrup hit a two-run homer, scoring Gavin Foley for a 6-5 advantage.

The Lions tied the game in the sixth and took the lead for good in the eighth on a sacrifice fly. Bryant led the Toppers with three RBIs, and Meilstrup added two RBIs while reaching base four times. Cody Presley contributed a multi-hit performance, and Polizzi added an RBI double.

On the mound, Judson Griffin started and allowed three runs in three innings. Caleb Hall pitched in relief, and Jesse Hancock was charged with the loss after surrendering the go-ahead run in the eighth. Chip Harris finished with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Toppers will host Freed-Hardeman again Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the BMCU Sportsplex.

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