MEMPHIS, Tennessee – After watching the first game slip away, the Lee baseball team battled back in the nightcap to earn a split with Christian Brothers on Saturday afternoon at Nadlcksbernd Field. The Bucs won the first game 6-5 and the Flames rode the strong pitching of Logan Workman (4-0) to win the nightcap 10-1.
The Flames and Bucs will return to action on Sunday afternoon 1 p.m. (CST) to close out the three-game series. Lee improved to 9-7 overall, 2-3 GSC while Christian Brothers dropped to 3-12, 1-7. "We have a chance to take the series tomorrow and we need to come to the park ready to play," said Coach Mark Brew.
Game 1 – Christian Brothers 6, Lee 5
Lee jumped out to a 4-0 lead before the Bucs rallied back to cut the margin to 4-3 in the fourth inning and then dead locked the game at four apiece in the fifth. After a pair of scoreless innings Lee regained the lead at 5-4 in the top of the eighth but CBU regrouped and tied the game in the bottom of the eighth at five. A solo run in the bottom of the ninth gave the Bucs the walk-off win.
"We had opportunities after an early 4-0 lead to add on, but didn't do a good job executing with runners in scoring position. Hats off to Christian Brothers for staying in it and taking advantage of opportunities until they got the big hit in the ninth," said Coach Brew after the loss.
Justin Fragale paced the Flames at the dish. He had two hits, drove in three runs and scored a pair. Justen Freeman had three hits while Landon Silver and Alan Smith rounded out Lee's plate work with two hits each.
Christian Brothers won the contest in the ninth on a solo homer by Connor McTeer. Jamie Soto had three hits while Keagan Voss ripped a triple to go with a single and collected a pair of RBI. Will Turner also doubled and scored.
Alex Harper-Cook was the Lee starter on the mound. In 3.2 innings he allowed six hits and three earned runs. Tyler Fairchild came in for 0.2 innings. He surrendered three hits and an earned run. Randall Coxwell (1-2) was charged with the loss. In 3.2 innings he gave up three hits and two earned runs.
Lake Dallas pitched seven innings for CBU. He gave up six hits, four earned runs and struck out eight while walking three. Hayden Edwards (1-0) toed the rubber for the final two innings. He allowed three hits, no runs and struck out two in picking up the victory.
Game 2 – Lee 10, Christian Brothers 1
Workman (4-0) hurled a complete seven-inning game. The hard-throwing right-hander allowed four hits, an earned run, fanned 10 and walked four. Jonathan Baldelli (1-3) was the losing pitcher. He gave up nine hits and four earned runs. Garrett Dooley came on for the final three innings and allowed a pair of earned runs.
"Workman continues to be dominant on the mound. He got big outs when needed and had command of three pitches. We did a great job extending the lead and taking advantage of some of their mistakes. We got solid production throughout the lineup and our defense was solid," said Brew in praising the second-game victory.
Eight different Lee hitters produced in the second-game win. Thomas Zazzaro, Ryan Beamish, Silver and Freeman had two hits each in the Flames 12-hit attack. Smith drove in three runs with his hit. Dylan Standifer plated two runs with his one-base knock while Zazzaro, Freeman and Josh Perez collected the other RBI with a single. Silver and Perez joined Luke Hughes in scoring a pair of runs.
Antonio Fernandez doubled and was the only Buc with two hits in the loss. Ben Brocato and Soto had the other hits while Brocato scored the only run for CBU.
