Dustin Lawson pitched a complete nine-inning game - his second straight - and Lee defeated Valdosta State in the opening game of a Gulf South Conference (GSC) doubleheader 8-2, but the visitors came back to win the nightcap, 11-3.

LEE 8, VALDOSTA STATE 2
Lawson improved his record to 4-1 and hurled a seven-hitter over a VSU team that is the top-hitting club in the GSC. The senior right-hander got plenty of support. Lee pounded out 13 hits against Mitchell Cody, who can into the contest with a 7-1 record.

Lawson walked one batter, hit another and struck out five. He worked his way out of jams in the third, seventh and ninth innings. "Dustin did a great job again," said Lee head coach Mark Brew. "He has really matured and was in control against an outstanding hitting team."

The Flames put two runs on the board in the second hitting. Trent Hill singled and MJ Brown reached on a fielder's choice. Nate Wierzgac singled home Hill and Luke Toms' one-base hit scored Brown.

Five runs in the sixth inning put the contest out of reach. Eleven Lee hitters walked to the dish. Andres Nelo, Holland and Hill singled to load the bases. Brown cleaned the sacks with a long double (3RBI). Wierzgac posted his second hit before Luke Toms unloaded a three-run jack over the 375 mark in right-center field.

The Flames added the final run in the eighth. Toms was hit by a pitch. Siosi Poti had a bunt single and Chris Adams delivered an RBI hit that scored Toms.

VALDOSTA 11, LEE 3
The Blazers gained a measure of revenge in the nightcap. VSC collected 11 hits off four Lee pitchers. Hill (6-5) took the loss and Kyle Andre (5-4) got the win. The Blazers improved to 25-15 overall and 16-11 in the GSC. Lee dropped to 25-16-1, 14-13-1.

Kevin Cruz was the hitting star for VSU. He a solo homer in the fourth as the Blazers put six big runs on the board. Cruz finished the contest with two hits and a pair of runs scored. Michael Gouge followed with a double and a single and four RBI. Hayden Jones and Jayk Graham tripled for the winners, who also tacked on four big insurance runs in the fifth.

"I might have pulled Hill a little too quickly in the second game," noted Brew. "Since we were rained out on Friday I thought we had plenty of help in the bullpen, but that didn't work out. Also, Hill did not look comfortable on the mound after we had a brief rain shower in the third inning."

Down 10-0, the Flames did not score until the sixth inning of the seven-inning game. Josh Tate doubles to start the rally. Adams and Nelo got infield hits to load the bases and Hill ripped a double off the left-center field wall that scored all three runners. Adams collected two of Lee's six hits.

"Overall it was a good day," concluded Brew. "Military Appreciation Day went outstanding and I want to think everyone who helped make this special day possible. The rain finally stayed away and our veterans and current service men and women really seemed to enjoy themselves."

The Flames will return to action on Tuesday at 6 p.m., hosting Bryan College in a single nine-inning non-conference game.