FLORENCE, Ala. - Behind outstanding pitching and clutch hitting, the Lee baseball club claimed a pair of impressive wins over host University of North Alabama on Saturday afternoon, 5-0, 2-1.
"I'm really proud of this team's performance today," said head coach Mark Brew. "We pitched about as well as we could have and the two complete games puts our bullpen in a great position for tomorrow. Our defense had several huge plays throughout the day as well. To have already won the series and have a chance to sweep a quality opponent like North Alabama on the road is a great opportunity. We need to come out and seize that opportunity tomorrow."
Game 1 - Lee 5, North Alabama 0
Senior Dustin Lawson (3-1) pitched a complete game (nine innings) while Ben Holland and Chris Adams homered in leading the Flames to a 5-0 victory over the Lions in the opening contest of a three-game Gulf South Conference (GSC) series.
Lawson allowed only five hits. The right-hander fanned eight and walked just two Lion hitter.
The Flames jumped in front in the second inning (2-0) and never looked back. MJ Brown singled home Holland and Adams collected an RBI when his ground out pushed Trent Hill across the plate.
The margin grew to 4-0 in the sixth when Holland drilled his eighth home run of the year, which also scored Andres Nelo on the play. An insurance run went up on the board in the ninth when Adams ripped his second four-bagger of the season.
Nelo had three hits in the win while Holland and Adams added a pair while Hill posted a double. Siosi Poti got Lee's other hit.
"We played about as well of a team-game as we have played all year," said Brew. "Lawson was in control from pitch one and had a phenomenal outing. We got some big hits that allowed us to get away from them and actually have a little breathing room for once."
Game 2 - Lee 2, North Alabama 1
In the seven-inning nightcap Hill went all the way. He allowed five hits, one earned run, struck out nine and issued one free pass while improving his record to 6-4 on the year.
The Flames put solo runs up in the second and third innings and that is all Hill would need. Holland got things started in the second with a single. Hill helped his own cause with a walk and Nate Weirzgac pushed the runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt. Brown sac fly to left was deep enough to score Holland.
Lee's final tally came in the third. Josh Tate started the rally with a single. Adams continued to swing the hot bat and stroked a double. Nelo's fly ball to left allowed Tate to score. That was all the support Hill needed.
The Flames made the best of only four hits off Lion losing pitcher Riley Sanderson. Adams, Holland, Luke Toms and Tate collected the key knocks. Hill walked twice in the win.
"As impressive as Lawson was in game one, Trent was equally impressive in game two," noted Brew. "He had great command of all his pitches and really did a good job mixing them up. He did a great job of getting out of a jam in the seventh when they got a little rally going. We haven't been able to stop those recently."
