JACKSON, Tenn. – Host Union University pushed across the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to claim the final GSC series victory over Lee on Sunday afternoon. The Flames claimed the overall series (2-1) and stand at 6-6 in conference standings.
We took the series, which is our goal, but we definitely missed on a big opportunity today to sweep on the road. It's another learning experience for us moving forward," commented head coach Mark Brew after the loss.
With one out in the final frame, Hayden Lewis delivered a triple to right-center. A strikeout produced the second out but David Robins delivered a winning single, giving the Bulldogs the hard-earned 5-4 win.
"I was disappointed with our urgency early in the game. We had opportunities to put some distance between us and Union on the scoreboard, but couldn't get that big hit," the skipper noted.
The Flames moved out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Jordan Howard was hit by a pitch and Miguel Pimentel followed with one of his three hits. Chase Gadau, who enjoyed a big afternoon at the dish, produced a fielder's choice that scored Howard.
Union tied the game at one in the bottom of the fourth. Lee countered with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth to take a 3-1 lead. Pimentel singled and Gadau ripped a two-run homer over the left-field wall. It was his seventh four-bagger of the year.
The Bulldogs tallied a solo run in the bottom of the fifth and then went on top 4-3 with two scores in the seventh. The never-say-die Flames fought back in the top of the ninth and tied the battle at four. Pimentel delivered again and took second on an error. After a fly-out by Gadau allowed Pimentel to advance to third. Peyton Meeker's RBI fly scored Pimentel.
The rest is history as the Bulldogs improved their conference record to 5-8 and 8-17 overall. The Flames are 12-14 overall and are scheduled to host Tusculum College in a single nine-inning game on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m.
Jumpei Akanuma worked the first 6.1 innings for the Flames. The right-hander gave up seven hits and four earned runs. He walked one and struck out four. Thomas Zazzaro (0-1) took the loss. In 2.1 innings, he gave up a pair of hits, one earned run while recording a strikeout.
"Jumpei gave us a great start and we once again showed some resiliency late, but we need to get that level of urgency at the plate earlier in the game," Brew pointed out.
Marty Coursey hurled the first seven innings for the Bulldogs. He surrendered nine hits, three earned runs, walked three and fanned two. Logan Larrinaga took the bump for the final two frames. In picking up the win, he allowed two hits and an unearned run.
