SAINT LEO, Fla. – Geremy Walton supplied all the offense Lee needed in a 3-2 victory at Saint Leo University Friday evening. Walton ripped a solo home run in the first inning and added a two-run home run in the seventh inning.
The reigning GSC Player of the Week added a fifth-inning single to finish 3-for-4. Walton was intentionally walked with a runner at third in the ninth.
"What a great ballgame. It had the feel of a postseason game," said Lee head coach Mark Brew. "I was really proud of our team throughout the day. We made some big pitches, big plays and Geremy Walton dialed up the two big swings to help us grab the win. He has played extremely well to start the season. Nate Wierzgac and Jordan Howard swung the bat really well."
Wierzgac joined Walton with three hits to lead the Flames (4-1). Howard delivered two singles, Spencer Mossburg singled and Miguel Pimentel legged out a double to round out Lee's 10 hits.
Jumpei Akanuma started and pitched 5 2/3 innings before being relieved. Akanuma was tagged for seven hits and two runs (one earned). He walked three and struck out four.
Jay Prior allowed one hit over the next 2 1/3 innings to record the win. Kit Larson faced three batters and struck out one in the ninth to pick up his first save of the season.
"Saint Leo has a really good offensive lineup," said the Lee skipper. "Jumpei gave us a quality start and was able to scatter the seven hits he gave up. Jay and Kit did an excellent job out of the pen, coming in pounding the strike zone."
The Lions (2-2) had eight base hits. Dylan Harris, Brett Coffel and Derek Gibree led Saint Leo with two hits each. One of Coffel's hits was a double.
Saint Leo scored both of its runs on back-to-back fielder's choices in the third inning. The second run was aided by a throwing error on the previous play.
Oscar Gordillo (1-1) was charged with the loss. He gave up eight hits and three runs in 6 2/3 innings of work. Gordillo tallied eight strikeouts and walked one.
"It's always great to get game one, but tomorrow will still be no easy task," added Brew. "We will need to be energetic and focused throughout the 18 innings."
The final two games of the weekend series are scheduled as part of a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. EST.
