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Lee University split a baseball doubleheader with Tennessee Temple University Friday afternoon at Olympic Field. The Flames (31-18-1) won the opener, 9-2, and the visitors scored two runs in their final at bat to win the finale 2-1.

"I'm really disappointed with our overall effort today," said Lee head coach Mark Brew. "We certainly didn't play that well in the first game, just picked up a few hits here and there. I could see this coming in practice all week. I've always said you don't lose ball games in the seventh inning. We could have won this game with better pitch selection at the plate and stepping up to get key hits."

The twinbill was scheduled as a warmup for both squads as they enter postseason play next week. Lee hosts the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Mid-East Region Tournament, while the Crusaders head to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Championship.

"We have a couple of days to get ready for the region," added Brew. "There will be several teams of the same caliber as Temple in the region and all of them will be excited about the opportunity to beat us."

 
FLAMES 9, TENNESSEE TEMPLE 2
The Flames pounded out 14 hits with Cameron Scott leading the way with a 3-for-3 performance. Chris Adams, Andres Nelo and Ben Holland each delivered two hits. Legging-out doubles were Adams, Holland and Trenton Hill.

Holland drove in three runs, while Siosi Poti and Hill plated two runners each. Scott tallied the eighth RBI of the game for Lee.

Dustin Lawson (6-1) gave up two hits in two innings of work to earn the win. Grayson Bailey walked three and struck out two in one inning of relief. Ridge Ackerman was tagged for four hits and two runs in two innings pitched. He struck out one Crusader.

Hill earned his second save of the season after pitching the sixth and seventh innings. He walked one and fanned four.

 
TENNESSEE TEMPLE 2, FLAMES 1
A two-run single by Chase Burke was the difference for the Crusaders. After being no-hit for the first six innings, Ryan Bruce led off the seventh inning with a single to centerfield. A fly out and two walks set the stage for Burke.

The Flames eked out for hits in the game and posted their lone run with a two-out RBI double by Holland in the fifth inning.

Jacob Potts, Kyle Briner and Logan Campbell combined to allow just one baserunner, hit by pitch, over the course of the first six innings. Potts recorded four strikeouts, Briner had three and Campbell fanned three batters.

Chevis Hoover (5-3) was charged with the loss after giving up two runs on two hits and walking three batters in 1/3 of an inning.

"I thought Potts threw awfully well and the entire pitching staff got the job done until the seventh inning, but again, you don't win or lose games in one inning," said Brew.