HARROGATE, Tenn. – Host Lincoln Memorial University made the best of seven hits in claiming a 6-4 non-conference victory over Lee on Tuesday afternoon. The win improved the Railsplitters to 21-10 overall while the Flames slipped to 16-15.
LMU jumped on top 2-0 in the first inning but the Flames rallied with a pair of runs in the fourth to tie the contest at two. The Railsplitters regained the upper hand in the bottom of the inning before Lee went back on top 4-3 in the top of the fifth.
LMU would not be denied and tied the game in the bottom of the fifth and then took the lead for good with two more scores in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Flames out-hit the host club 12-7 but left eight runners on base.
"We played well enough to win, but just didn't cash in enough off our 12 hits," remarked Lee head coach Mark Brew. "(Miguel) Pimentel and (Dalton) Ney had really good days at the plate."
Pimentel finished the day with three hits including a pair of doubles and scored a run. Ney also banged out three singles. Spencer Mossburg ripped his sixth homer of the year to go along with a one-base hit, while Peyton Meeker stroked a two-run homer (3) to help account for two of Lee's runs. Fernando Ortiz put down a sac bunt that scored Chase Andrews while Thomas Zazzaro accounted for two hits.
Christian Bokich started and worked the first 3.2 innings on the bump for the Flames. He allowed four hits and three earned runs. John Reese Gilmer followed with 1.2 innings, allowing a home run and surrendering three earned runs. He was charged with the loss. Jay Pryor and Eric Freeman gave the Flames scoreless innings.
"Bokich gave us another solid mid-week start," noted Brew. "Lincoln Memorial has a really good lineup and to hold them to seven hits was an accomplishment. Problem was, we gave them too many freebies and they capitalized." Lee pitchers issued five walks and two LMU batters were hit by pitches.
Logan Augustine had three hits, including a double and drove in two runs. Timmy Wages also had two RBI and a two-base hit, while Tyler Adams blasted a homerun in the fifth inning.
Ben Wiley hurled the first four innings for the Railsplitters and quickly surrendered eight hits. However, Jake Grenus came on to cool the Lee bats and picked up his fourth win of the year while going 3.1 innings. Chase Randolph pitched the final 1.2 innings and got credit for the save.
"This is a big (conference) weekend for us," explained Brew. "Valdosta State has a quality team and is way better than their results would indicate. We have been playing well and will need a great effort in all areas to take the series."
