The name of the game in baseball is outstanding pitching combined with consistent hitting and that's exactly what No. 1-ranked Lee did in sweeping Talladega on Saturday afternoon at Olympic Field.
The Flames made it a near perfect afternoon by honoring the military and then posting the 7-1, 4-1 victories.
It was Military Appreciation Day at Olympic Field and local fans joined several veterans in a day that will long be remembered and brought tears to the eyes of several hundred in attendance.
The non-conference series sweep saw the Flames score 26 runs and allow Talladega only three and set up a meeting with rival Tennessee Wesleyan on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. at Olympic Field. The two highly-ranked clubs have split the first two meetings.
LEE 7, TALLADEGA 1
Talladega scored its only run of the game in the first inning when Chase Benfield singled, stole second and crossed the plate on a single by Kameron Mizzell.
The Flames gave pitcher Jose Samayoa all the support he needed in the top of the second. Derrick Pitts doubled and scored on a single by Karsten Strieby. Strieby finished the contest with a perfect three hits in three trips to the plate.
Corey Davis walked and Brandon Rader put down a sacrifice bunt and Trevor Burgess followed with the second free pass of the inning. Mark Silva stroked a double that pushed across two runs and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Brady Renner.
Lee added a single run in the fifth when Danny Canela and Strieby singled. Davis lifted a sacrifice fly that scored Canela. Silva got things started in a two-run sixth inning with a one-base hit. He stole second and crossed this dish on a hit by Renner. The final run of the game came when Renner tallied on an infield out by Canela.
Silva and Strieby were the game's top hitters. The twosome combined with Pitts and Silver in collecting doubles.
Samayoa (8-1) hurled six innings of four-hit ball. He allowed one earned run, struck out six and did not walk a batter. Andy Hillis pitched the seventh. He surrendered two hits and struck out one. Ryan Pettus was the losing Talladega pitcher.
LEE 4, TALLADEGA 1
Left-hander Clint Terry (6-1) worked a complete seven-inning game as the Flames improved to 33-8 on the year. Terry allowed five hits and one earned run. He struck out seven and issued no free passes.
The Flames tallied a single run in the first inning when Canela reached on a walk. Pinch-runner Trevor Burgess stole second and went to third on a wild throw. Pitts drove Burgess across the plate with a one-base knock.
Lee's final three runs came in the third. Silver and Canela singled and Pitts walked to load the bases. Strieby picked up an RBI with a sacrifice fly. Davis reached on an error that allowed Burgess to score. The Flames used a double-steal for the game's final tally. Davis stole second and on the throw, Pitts raced across home plate.
Talladega managed its only run in the seventh. Nerio Barreto singled and scored on a double down the left-field line Georgie Santiago, who finished the game with two of the Tornadoes five hits.
Jeff Pool (5-1) was the losing Talladega hurler. He pitched six innings and allowed just two earned runs. The right-hander fanned six and walked three.
"It was just a good all-around day for our program," said coach Mark Brew. "It was the best weather we have had all year, the crowd was great, our team played well and most of all we were able to honor those veterans and active members of our military."
Brew liked all phases of his team's performance. "We expect this out of our pitching staff and now our hitting is coming around, plus our defense has been outstanding in recent games."
The Flames and Brew quickly turn their attention towards TWC. "It's a big game for both teams," he pointed out. "the bids for the opening round of the national tournament will go out on April 15. We need to stay high in the rankings and I'm sure the NAIA will be taking a hard look at the winner of our Tuesday game."
The Flames have hosted three straight opening rounds and have used the home field advantage as a huge positive in advancing to the NAIA World Series.
