Trent Hill singled in the 11^th inning to drive home Shea Durham as the Flames handed visiting Tusculum College an 8-7 defeat on Tuesday evening at Olympic Field. The win avenged an April 5^th 11-10 loss to the Pioneers.
 
Both clubs are streaking towards the finish line in NCAA Division II play. The Pioneers are 32-12 overall and face a big South Atlantic Conference battle with Carson-Newman this weekend. The Flames (28-14) claimed their 20^th victory over their last 23 games and will be in Clinton, Miss. this weekend for three games against Gulf South Conference opponent Mississippi College.
 
The Flames appeared to have the situation well under control until the top of the ninth inning when three singles and a double plated two runs to deadlock the contest at seven. Lee threatened in the bottom of the 10^th with a pair of one-base hits but could not get the winning run across the plate.
 
In the top of the 11^th, Tusculum loaded the bases with only one out but a 6-4-3 double play ended the rally. In the bottom of the inning, the Flames rallied to win with two outs. Durham got things started with a single and the Pioneers would have not part of pitching to Ben Holland and issued a walk, moving Durham to second base. Hill's game-winner followed to touch off a celebration that the Flames have enjoyed their share of in recent victories.
 
Holland and Luke Toms played long-ball for the Flames in the fifth inning. Holland drilled a solo home run, no. 17 and after Hill singled, Toms ripped his 15^th homer. Holland and Hill are deadlocked with 46 RBI apiece.
 
Hill had three hits to pace Lee's 15-hit attack. Durham, Toms, and Kyle Briner collected two hits. Chris Adams had a double and a single. Hill also scored two runs, while Briner and Geremy Walton joined their teammates with one run each. Tyler Payne had a hit and a RBI, while Walton and Miguel Pimentel also hit safely in the win.
 
Gage Carpenter started and worked five solid innings for the Flames. He allowed just three hits and one earned run, while striking out two and walking one. Christian Bokich went to the hill for three innings, surrendering three hits and two earned runs. Briner came on for the final 2 2/3 innings. After giving up the lead, the senior right-hander battled back to improve his pitching record to 4-2 on the year.
 
Tusculum was paced by doubles from Creighton Wilkie and Zack Finchum. Nick Lacine had a pair of hits, collected a RBI and scored once, while Finchum did the same.
 
The Pioneers used four pitchers. Cameron Carney started and hurled 4 2/3 innings, giving up six hits and four earned runs. Devan Watts was the most effective Tusculum pitcher. In 4 1/3 innings, he surrendered four hits, no earned runs, struck out five and walked one. McKinly Berry came in to face the two final batters of the game and was charged with the pitching defeat.