COLUMBIA, Ky. – Fourth-seeded Tennessee Southern battled throughout Monday's NAIA National Championship Opening Round contest but fell 3-2 to fifth-seeded Johnson at Sparks Park.
The Firehawks threatened early, putting runners aboard in both the first and third innings. McCain walked in the opening frame before King added a walk, while in the third McCain was hit by a pitch and King followed with a double to left field to put two runners in scoring position.
Johnson broke through in the fourth inning with a pair of runs on back-to-back RBI hits to take a 2-0 lead.
UT Southern answered in the fifth with one swing from King. After McCain worked a two-out walk, King launched a two-run home run to center field, tying the game at 2-2.
The game remained tied into the seventh before Johnson manufactured the go-ahead run with a sacrifice bunt, bunt single, stolen base, and RBI groundout to reclaim a 3-2 advantage.
The Firehawks brought the tying run aboard in the bottom of the seventh as McCain singled to right center, but Johnson closed out the game to secure the win.
King led the offense with a 2-for-3 performance, including a double, home run, and two RBIs. McCain added a hit and reached base three times, while Pettie recorded a bunt single. UT Southern finished with four hits in the contest.
In the circle, Singletary went the distance, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out three.
Tennessee Southern now moves into an elimination game tomorrow against the loser of No. 8 Missouri Baptist and No. 23 Indiana Wesleyan in the Lindsey Wilson Opening Round bracket.
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