Two NAIA top ranked teams hit the diamond in Athens, TN on February 19, 2010 and February 20, 2010. Tennessee Wesleyan College Bulldogs, ranked 11^th in preseason polls, hosted the Lions of Lindenwood University, ranked 12^th, in two days of double header action. The Bulldogs won three of the four games, but it took a pair of walk-off three-run homers to sweep Friday's doubleheader 8-6 and 6-3. On Saturday, the Lions held off a late rally to win game one 3-2 before the Bulldogs of Tennessee Wesleyan claimed the final game 7-1. Tennessee Wesleyan's record increases to 7-3, while Lindenwood's record is now 9-5.

Friday, February 19^th

Lindenwood started out the first three innings strong with two runs in the first and three more in the third against Wesleyan starter Troy Graybill. The Bulldogs meanwhile had only one hit through the first three innings. Wesleyan pulled even with a five run fourth inning. Cody Gaskill started the rally with a double, followed by a pair of walks to load the bases. C.J. McElroy delivered a two-run single and David Lindsey's sacrifice fly made it 5-3.  A two out error and hit batsman reloaded the bases in front of Johnny Smith's game tying two-run single.  Relievers Drew Housewright and Daniel Wood of Wesleyan would leave Lindenwood hitless, but Wood surrendered an unearned run in the top of the seventh when a throwing error led to a 6-5 Lion's lead. In the bottom of the 7^th, Johnny Smith laced a one-out single and Rafael Carlot walked with two outs. Then with a count of 3-1, Brad Pippa lined the next pitch over the leftfield fence to give Wesleyan the 8-6 win. Daniel Wood of Wesleyan picked up the win, striking out three and walking one.

Game two would start out much like the first with the Lions of Lindenwood jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning. Justin Crowell of Wesleyan would hold Lindenwood scoreless and allow just two hits over the final five innings while retiring the last 11 batters he faced in order.  For the Bulldogs of Wesleyan the momentum shifted in the fourth after Crowell worked out of a first and third nobody out jam without allowing a run. In the bottom of the inning, Johnny Smith doubled and Gaskill singled with a two run double by Pippa to close the gap to 3-2. Ryan Santos evened the score with a solo home run in the fifth.  With the score still tied in the bottom of the seventh, Cody Gaskill would hit the day's second walk off three run homer to give the Bulldogs the win 6-3.   Justin Crowell got the win while surrendering three runs on three hits, striking out seven, walking four and hitting two batters.

Saturday, February 20^th

Tennessee Wesleyan took a 1-0 lead in the first when Johnny Smith singled, advancing to third when the ball eluded the centerfielder and scored on Cody Gaskill's double.  Lindenwood tied the game with a home run by Anthony Dallosto in the fourth and then went up 3-1 with two more runs in the fifth. Wesleyan got a run back in the sixth when Johnny Smith singled and two dropped flyballs plated Smith and left runners at second and third.  The final out came when Cody Gaskill tried to score from third on a wild pitch and was tagged at the plate. Zach Malawey of Lindenwood would get the win going all seven innings while striking out nine.

Lindenwood took an early 1-0 lead in game two in the top of the third, but the Bulldogs of Wesleyan responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning.  Wesleyan then sealed the deal with three runs in the bottom of the sixth.  The Bulldogs had 10 hits, led by Johnny Smith with three, including a home run and three RBI's. Cody Gaskill also had three hits with a triple and drove in one run. Max Loveland added two hits and Kurtis Bramlett had two RBIs. Dylan Lowery of Lindenwood drove in their only run of the game.  Hamilton Bennett went the distance getting the win while giving up seven hits, striking out five and not walking any batters.

Weather permitting, Tennessee Wesleyan College will face number five ranked Lee University on Wednesday, February 24^th at 2:00 pm.  Lindenwood University's next opponents are Indiana University Southeast on February 27^th and 28^th at 1:00 pm.