Miguel Pimentel capped off a 10 RBI week with six runs plated on Sunday to lead the Lee baseball team to a series sweeping 13-2 victory over Christian Brothers from a sun-splashed Olympic Field.
The Flames didn't take long to heat the bats back up as they scored six runs in the second inning. Tyler Payne got the scoring started with a hustle single to second to score Justin Fragale. Two more runs would score on CBU miscues of a throwing error and wild pitch. Pimentel capped off the rally with a bases clearing three-run double to left field.
The six runs proved to be more than enough for the Lee pitching staff. Alan Rickman (1-4) earned his first victory for the Flames. The righty went five innings allowing two runs on two hits. He struck out three and walked three. David Pattinson and Lance Hamilton combined for two scoreless innings of relief.
"This was a big weekend for us. We needed to get the sweep because we've got a tough finishing schedule coming up and we needed to make up some ground quickly. I thought we swung the bat well up and down the lineup," said head coach Mark Brew. "Even guys like Payne with a hustle single to prolong the inning and then six runs later we have the lead. Those things are important. I was really pleased with how we managed ourselves with really impressive approaches at the plate."
The Bucs scored two runs in the third on a groundout by Jaime Soto and a J.D Goodspeed double down the left field line. The only other offense came from Garett Reason-Kerkhoff who had two singles.
Pimentel drove in two more runs in the fourth with a single to right field. Joshua Perez would follow suite with a two-run single through the right side. Thomas Zazzaro would cap of the five-run inning with a bases loaded walk.
Zazzaro added a bases loaded walk in the sixth and Pimentel put the finishing touches on an incredible day at the plate with a sacrifice fly center to score Payne.
"I was trying to let the ball come to me and be calmer at the plate. We came into this weekend fired up and keep the energy up and keep some momentum," said Pimentel. "We have guys up and down the lineup swinging the bat well so hopefully we can keep that going the rest of the season."
Griffin Miller (2-4) lasted just 1.2 innings on the mound for the Bucs giving up six runs but only one was earned. He allowed five hits and two walks. Tyler Flynn was roughed up for five runs on six hits over 1.2 innings of relief.
The win moves Lee back to an even 15-15 mark on the year. Lee is now 7-6 in the Gulf South Conference. The Bucs fall to 8-21 overall and 4-14 in league play.
The Flames will welcome Tusculum to town on Tuesday at 6 p.m. before jumping back into conference play with a three-game weekend series at West Georgia beginning Saturday at 2 p.m.
Â
Â
Â
