GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – For eight innings Lee held the upper hand against host Tusculum College on Wednesday evening at Pioneer Park. The Flames tallied two runs in the top of the first inning and held a 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Tusculum's final at bat began with a single by Chris Waylock off lefty Grayson Bailey who had been outstanding in a relief role to this point. A walk to Jalen Shuffler followed, but a sacrifice bunt attempt failed, leaving runner at first and second. Nick Rodriguez walked to load the bases.
Coach Mark Brew ordered a pitching change and freshman Dakota Fowler came into hurl. He was greeted by a single to left-center field that plated two runs giving the Pioneers the stunning 3-2 win.
"We have talked repeatedly about these situations," said Lee's frustrated coach. "We don't lose games in the final at bat! Things will not change result-wise for us until our team realizes that every at-bat, every play, and every pitch has equal value throughout the entire game.
"This game isn't on our pitching staff," he added. "We pitched well enough to win. We scored two runs in the first and then got shutout over the next eight innings."
Chris Adams got the first-inning rally started with a single. He moved to second on a groundout by Andres Nelo. Ben Holland walked and Trent Hill picked up an RBI with a one-base knock. Hill stole second and when the throw to second sailed into the outfield, Holland scored to give the Flames a quick 2-0 lead.
The runs for the Flames stopped right there, but Tusculum came up with a single run in the bottom of the fourth to cut the margin to 2-1. It remained that way until the Pioneers pulled victory from the jaws of defeat in the ninth.
Lee's Chevis Hoover hurled the first 2 2/3 innings. He allowed one hit, fanned three and walked three. Ridge Ackerman came on for the next 3 2/3 innings. He surrendered four hits and one earned run. Bailey entered for the next two innings and allowed one hit and two earned runs. He walked a pair and struck out three. Bailey (2-1) took the loss. Fowler pitched to one batter and allowed the game's final hit.
Tusculum's Ethan Carpenter started but did not get out of the first inning. Christian Rasch came on and completely shut down the Lee offense. In 6 1/3 innings he allowed no hits, fanned six and walked three. Placido Torres worked one inning and Devan Watts (4-1) came on in the ninth to get credit for the win.
Adams, Hill and MK Brown had Lee's only hits. Seven different Pioneer batters collected one hit apiece.
The Flames will regroup and get ready for a three-game Gulf South series this weekend at North Alabama. The loss dropped Lee's record to 20-15-1. They have lost eight one-run games this season. Tusculum improved to 24-12.
