Nathan Wierzgac drilled a leadoff home run to left-center in the bottom of the 11th inning to give Lee University a 6-5 walk-off victory over Carson-Newman University Wednesday afternoon at Olympic Field. It was the catcher's third of the season and put an end to a game that saw the lead change hands twice in the sixth inning and again in the seventh before being tied in the eighth.
With the win, the Flames improved to 14-5, while the visiting Eagles dropped to 8-12.
"Wow, what an emotional game today," stated Lee head coach Mark Brew. "This team has battled through a lot of adversity this year and have shown a lot of grit and toughness. To overcome the injury to Corbin (Lamb) and bounce back the way we did to find a way to the game was an awesome team accomplishment.
Wierzgac finished the game 2-for-5 with a double and the game-winning round-tripper. Jordan Howard was 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI. Geremy Walton and Peyton Meeker were the only other Flames with multiple hits. Walton singled twice, while Meeker added a double to go with a single.
Eric Lynch was the offensive leader for Carson-Newman. Lynch was 4-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI. Cade Snapp finished with two hits, including a double.
"There are a lot of heroes in this game, but Kit Larson continues to do a phenomenal job on the mound and giving us the opportunity to get the walk-off home run from Nate," praised Brew.
Larson pitched the final 3 1/3 innings to even his record at 1-1. He gave up two hits, walked one and struck out four.
Wes Albert went five innings as the starter and left with a 2-1 lead. He gave up one run on four hits and fanned two batters. Lamb was charged with two earned runs after leaving due to injury in the top of the sixth inning.
Jay Prior scattered two hits over 1 2/3 innings of work. Joe Parete recorded two outs in the eighth inning before giving way to Larson.
Jordan Davis was charged with the loss. Davis (0-2) entered the game in the eighth inning and had given up just one hit and struck out four before Wierzgac's at bat in the 11th.
"We still have a lot of work to do, but this team has proven they will fight and that's worth a lot in this tough conference," Brew added.
The Flames will head to Florence, Ala., for a weekend Gulf South Conference series with University of North Alabama. Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST with first pitch of Sunday's single nine-inning game set for 2 p.m. EDT.
