GREENVILLE, Tenn. – In another high-scoring, mid-week, non-conference game, Lee posted 11 hits and took advantage of four host Tusculum College errors in recording a 14-10 victory on Tuesday evening.
The Flames will return to Olympic Field on Friday evening and begin an important three-game Gulf South Conference series, hosting Montevallo University. Friday's first pitch is slated for 6 p.m. The two clubs will be back in action on Saturday for a doubleheader that will begin at 1 p.m.
"It was another crazy mid-week game for us. Hats off to the team for finding a way to get the win. We knew it would take some offense to win the game and our guys were able to get some big innings. We had some key two-out, two-strike hits. Keyshaun Smith had the big day for the offense," commented head coach Mark Brew after his team posted its fourth win over the past five games.
"We have some momentum right now. It's another big GSC weekend for us against Montevallo and we need to continue to do the things that are making us successful," concluded the coach.
Keyshaun Smith had the best evening of his career in pacing the Flames as they improved to 21-22 overall. Smith delivered a double, triple, homerun and drove in three runs. He also scored three times. Alan Smith also pounded out three hits, tallied twice and drove in a pair.
Fernando Ortiz joined in the action with a double and single. He collected a pair of RBI and crossed the plate twice. Cody Smith placed a single, scored once and added a RBI. Justen Freeman contributed a RBI and scored a run. Thomas Zazzaro had a one-base knock and tallied twice while Miguel Pimentel had Lee's other hit.
Not only did the Flames take advantage of four Pioneer errors, seven Tusculum pitchers issued eight walks. Lee never trailed, posting four runs in the second inning, two more in the third, four in the sixth and two more in the eighth and ninth. The Pioneers rallied for three runs in the third, one in the fourth, three in the sixth, two in the eighth and a single tally in the ninth.
The Flames used six hurlers. Lance Hamilton got the start and worked 2.1 innings, allowing six hits and three earned runs. He also fanned three. Andrew Franklin followed and got his first win of the year. In 1.2 innings he did not allow an earned run, issuing a free pass and striking out one. Davis Gurosky entered for 1.2 innings and gave up two hits, three earned runs, issuing three free passes and fanning two.
The parade to the mound continued with Brandon Bolt entering for 1.1 innings. He allowed three hits, a pair of earned runs and walked two. David Pattinson worked a perfect eighth inning and recorded one strikeout. Michael Hendricks sealed the deal in the ninth, allowing a hit, an earned run, walking one and fanning one.
