The Lee baseball team will just have to chalk up Tuesday's defeat as one it allowed to just simply let slip away.
The Flames, 12-7-1 held a 5-1 lead going into the top of the seventh inning, but visiting University of Indianapolis rallied for six runs in the top of the seventh in the 7-6 come-from-behind win.
Brady Thomas landed the key blows for the Indiana squad. Not only did he connect on a grand-slam bomb in the seventh, he also carded a double and single, driving in five runs on his big day. All totaled the Greyhounds produced five extra base hits off six Lee hurlers.
Dylan Whetstone joined Thomas as the Indianapolis RBI producers. He knocked in a pair with a double. Zach Jacobs added a two-base hit and a single as three Greyhounds teamed for six of their eight-hits. Again Lee pitchers were hurt by free passes, walking five and hitting three Greyhound batters.
The Flames outhit the visitors, 12-8 but stranded nine runners. Andres Nelo, Trent Hill, MJ Brown and Travis Perkola had two hits apiece. Nelo, Hill and Perkola doubled while Cameron Scott had a hit and drove in two runs. Nelo, Nate Weirzgac, Luke Toms and Brown batted home Lee's other runs.
Dakota Fowler started on the mound for Lee. He worked three innings and was solid, allowing four hits, one run and striking out two. Lefty Michael James was impressive. In three innings he held the Greyhounds in check, allowing no runs, walking one and fanning two.
Problems began for the Flames and pitchers Logan Campbell and Grayson Bailey in the seventh. The Greyhounds put six earned runs in the books and grabbed a 7-5 lead. Campbell was charged with four earned runs and Bailey two. Bailey (0-1) took the loss. Chevis Hoover and Carlos Ditren settled things down in the eighth and ninth innings.
Adam Cornwell was the Indianapolis starter. He was lifted after 4.2 innings, allowing seven hits, five earned runs, walking four and recording a pair of strikeouts. Jake Sprinkle got the win after giving his club 3.1 good innings. He surrendered four hits, one earned run and set three Flames down on strikes. Brett Collins was credited with the save, retiring the Flames in the ninth.
Because of the rainy conditions, the Lee-Indianapolis game schedule for Wednesday has been cancelled. The Flames will return to Gulf South action on Saturday and Sunday, hosting conference newcomer Mississippi College.
