Pendleton Heights swept an HHC doubleheader from the Lions at Council of Clubs Field Saturday. The Arabians took the opener 8-5 behind a five-run second inning and won the second game 11-3.

The Lions were forced to play catch-up in Game 1 as Pendleton plated five runs off Rushville starter Zach Binder. Binder was a little unlucky as the Arabians loaded the bases in the inning on three balls that did not leave the infield. Two bunt singles loaded the bases and six singles in all led the big inning for Pendleton.

Rushville catcher Caleb Fenimore gunned down an Arabian base stealer to end the second inning.

Pendleton added two more to their side of the scoreboard in the fourth before the Lions’ bats started heating up.

In the home-half of the fourth, Austin Bruns singled and Binder doubled Bruns in with Rushville’s first run. Binder came around to score on a Zach Comer ground out.

Chase Sullivan capped the inning with a solo bomb to left field to cut the deficit to 7-3 heading to the fifth inning.

After holding the Arabians scoreless in the fifth, Rushville climbed to within two at 7-5 in the bottom of the inning. Jordan Hoeing was hit by a pitch and he scored on the Bruns double. Binder’s second double scored Bruns.

The Lions threatened in the sixth with two runners on base and then loaded the bases in the seventh, but were unable to plate any more runs.

Binder started on the hill for the Lions with Chris Plough pitching three solid innings in relief.

Pendleton jumped out of the gate quick in Game 2 with 10 runs in the first three innings and another in the fourth en route to the 11-3 win.

Errors cost the Lions as only three of the first 10 Arabians errors were earned.

Comer, Craig Jones and Cameron Kuhn all pitched well for the Lions, but the defense did not back them up by making the plays in the field.

Rushville scored three runs in the top of the fifth to extend the game to the full seven innings. Ethan Brown walked and stole second base. Nate Hummel was hit by a pitch. Benji Hall (two singles in game) then singled in Brown and Sullivan continued his good day with a double to score Hummel and Hall. C.J. West also singled in the game for the Lions.

Rushville (8-13, 3-9 in HHC) host Hagerstown at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The reserve Lions traveled to Pendleton Heights for a doubleheader.