HENDERSON, Tenn. - After having their nine-game winning streak halted Thursday, the No. 20 Owls dropped the AMC series with the Lions by splitting Friday's doubleheader.
William Woods University (17-7, 7-2 American Midwest Conference) managed only three hits in being shut out in the nightcap.
The game was scoreless until Freed-Hardeman University (13-10, 5-4) scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning off Owls senior starter Dany Paradis-Giroux.
The Lions tallied the first run on a wild pitch by Paradis-Giroux with the bases loaded. Freed-Hardeman then made it 3-0 on a two-run double.
William Woods notched its only run in the top of the sixth when sophomore designated hitter Trevor Garriott scored after senior first baseman Tyler Cunningham reached on an error.
However, the Owls stranded three baserunners and Freed-Hardmean sealed its victory with a run in the bottom of the sixth.
Senior shortstop Frankie Valle went 2-for-3 and senior second baseman Glen DesBouillons finished 1-for-3 with a double to account for William Woods' hits.
Paradis-Giroux went the distance in suffering his first loss of the season, allowing four runs - three earned - on just five hits. Paradis-Giroux (5-1) struck out seven and walked three.
The Owls were forced to overcome an early deficit in the first game when the Lions put up two runs in the bottom of the first.
William Woods finally got going in the top of the fifth. Valle led off with a single to right and raced to third on senior left fielder Patrick Dillon's single to center
Senior catcher Josh Nicols drew a walk to load the bases and Valle made it 2-1 when he sprinted home on wild pitch by Freed-Hardeman starter Landon Sewell. Dillon then tied the game when he scored on junior third baseman Brian Granton's groundout.
The game went to extra innings and junior center fielder Marquise Doherty put the Owls on top 3-2 by singling home Granton in the top of the eighth. William Woods added a run when Cunningham scored on junior pinch-hitter Zach Smith's squeeze bunt.
Junior closer Jeremy Hidalgo retired the side in order in the bottom of the eighth to collect his fourth save of the season for the Owls.
Granton finished 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI and scored a run as William Woods totalled seven hits. Dillon was 2-for-3.
Senior starter Ryan Furtney went seven innings to pick up the win for the Owls. Furtney (3-0) gave up two earned runs on seven hits and struck out two.
The Owls continue AMC play with a doubleheader at Columbia College at 4 p.m. Tuesday.