LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – The Lions had a season-high 15 hits in a tough loss in their home opener to Philadelphia University 12-10 on Saturday, April 5^th. Sophomore Ronald Lashley (Brooklyn, NY/Benjamin Banneker Academy) recorded a triple and a double base hit as he finished with a career-best four hits at the plate.

Lincoln trailed 4-0 after a slow start defensively in the first inning with two fielding errors that led to Ram runs. LU responded in the bottom of that inning with three runs on four hits from the top of their order. Infielder Ronald Lashley (Brooklyn, NY/Benjamin Banneker Academy) sparked the Lions with a single to left field. Infielder DeVante Parker (Bear, DE/Appoquinimink HS) then singled to shortstop putting two runners on base for infielder Charles Gibbons (Brooklyn, NY/Genesee CC). Gibbons had a pair of runners on base and produced with an RBI single to left field scoring Lashley and putting the Lions on the scoreboard. After a groundout that advanced the runners to second and third base, catcher Gabriel Santiago (Bronx, NY/Mount Saint Michael Academy) fouled out to right field but Parker tagged from third base scoring Lincoln's second run of the game. The next batter for the Lions infielder Terrell Berringer singled to center field but was chased down by the Philadelphia defense after Gibbons crossed home plate. Lincoln went into the second inning trailing Philadelphia 4-3.

The Rams added four more runs in the next inning pulling ahead 8-3. Philadelphia had two hits in that inning including a home run over the right field fence. Lincoln had a silent second inning with no hits but Ronald Lashley (Brooklyn, NY/Benjamin Banneker Academy) used his speed in the third inning blasting a triple to left field. In the fourth inning, the Lions rallied with three runs on three hits to cut the Rams deficit to two runs.

Gabriel Santiago (Bronx, NY/Mount Saint Michael Academy) singled to center field leading the inning off for the Lions. Santiago advanced to second and then stole third base after Terrell Berringer was hit by a pitch. Outfielder Branden Bolden hit an RBI single to left field bringing home Santiago in front of the home crowd. Lashley had the Lions next score with an RBI single to third base scoring Berringer but was caught stealing after Bolden scored third third run of the inning.    

In the fifth inning DeVante Parker (Bear, DE/Appoquinimink HS) doubled to left field for the Lions only hit. The Rams homered over the right field fence again in the sixth inning to increase their lead to 9-6. In a back and forth game between the Lions and Rams, a huge sixth inning gave Lincoln their first lead of the game.

Lincoln scored four runs off of four hits in the bottom of the sixth to take a 10-9 lead. Branden Bolden singled to left field and later scored when outfielder Stephen Smith (Los Angeles, Calif./Dorsey HS) singled to center field. Lashley followed with an RBI double through the left side scoring Smith from second base. The next batter Parker drew a walk and Gibbons was hit by a pitch loading the bases full of Lions. Lincoln's huge play came from Gabriel Santiago (Bronx, NY/Mount Saint Michael Academy)'s two RBI double to center field scoring Parker and Lashley.

Trailing the Lions 10-9 in the seventh inning Philadelphia reclaimed the lead with two runs on one hit. Lincoln went cold in the bottom of the seventh and eighth innings with only one hit. The Rams extended their lead with a run in the ninth inning and the Lions only had one hit in their final at bat in a heartbreaking 12-10 loss at home.

Ronald Lashley (Brooklyn, NY/Benjamin Banneker Academy) led the Lions with four hits against the Rams including a double and a triple. DeVante Parker (Bear, DE/Appoquinimink HS) and Gabriel Santiago (Bronx, NY/Mount Saint Michael Academy) both had three hits. Santiago led the Lions with three RBIs while Lashley had two. Pitcher Demetrius Johnson took the loss against the Rams striking out three batters but surrendering six earned runs on five hits. Terence Berry had a solid outing striking out a pair in 3.2 innings pitched and Crae Watkins (Lorain, OH/Brookside HS) closed things also striking out two batters in 1.1 innings pitched.

Lincoln falls to 2-18 overall and will host Chestnut Hill College at home in a double header slated for 2 p.m. on Wednesday April 8^th at the LU Baseball Complex.