Logan Workman and Alex Harper-Cook gave Lee solid pitching and Ryan Beamish joined Alan Smith in producing key hits in leading Lee to a doubleheader sweep of vising Saint Leo University on Sunday afternoon at Larry Carpenter Stadium. The victory improved the Flames to 5-1 and they will enter Gulf South Conference play next weekend in a three-game series against West Georgia.
"I thought our pitchers did a tremendous job of setting the tone in both games. Workman and Harper-Cook did a great job holding a good Saint Leo lineup down. Mike Hendricks continues to do a great job and relief," commented Coach Mark Brew after the sweep.
GAME 1 – Lee 2, Saint Leo 1
Workman picked up his second win of the year. The hard-throwing right-hander pitched seven innings, allowing just one hit, striking out nine and walking four. Randall Coxwell came on for the final two innings. He surrendered two hits, one earned run, issued a pair of free passes and fanned one.
The Flames broke open a scoreless game in the bottom of the sixth inning. Alan Smith walked, Justin Fragale was hit by a pitch and a double by Landon Silver plated the first run. The Lions tied the game in the top of the eighth inning. Amir Wright scored on a RBI single by Jacob Reimond.
In the ninth inning, Beamish delivered a two-base knock and scored on a game-winning infield hit by Parker Stahlman. Beamish finished the contest with two hits, including a double. Silver had a two-base knock and a single. Keyshaun Smith picked up a two-base hit and Fragale had Lee's other hit.
"Saint Leo started two really good pitchers and our offense had to really compete and scratch and claw all day for runs. Alan Smith and Beamish got it clicking in game two and both had really good at bats all day," noted Coach Brew.
The Lions also got strong pitching from Mccabe Sargent. He hurled seven innings, allowing five hits, one earned run, striking out six and walking two. Joey Antonopoulos came on in the eighth and allowed two hits and was charged with the loss when he surrendered the winning run.
GAME 2 – Lee 5, Saint Leo 1
The Flames and Lions battled through 4.1 innings before the Lee finally jumped on top 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth. Cody Smith started the rally with a single, Thomas Zazzaro walked and Dylan Standifer moved the runners up with a sacrifice bunt. Cody Smith scored on a wild pitch and Alan Smith picked up a RBI single.
Lee went back to work in the sixth and took advantage of free passes to Justen Freeman and Cody Smith. After Zazzaro collected a one-base knock, Standifer got a RBI with a sacrifice fly. The Flames put the contest away in the seventh. Beamish and Keyshaun Smith homered to increase the margin to 5-1.
Beamish was 3 for 3 to lead the Lee hitting attack and Alan Smith doubled and singled. Harper-Cook picked up his second pitching win of the year. In seven innings, he allowed just four hits, no earned runs, fanning eight and walked two. The Flames got another solid relief performance from Michael Hendricks. In two innings, he allowed a hit and struck out four.
The Lions used four pitchers in the loss. Ruddy Gomez pitched five innings and was the loser. In five innings he gave up four hits, two earned runs, struck out five and walked five. The Flames also scored a run off Trevor Sanchez and two runs off Andy Booth. PJ Barry had a double, single and collected the game's only RBI for Saint Leo. Zach Benson came on as a pinch hitter and doubled.
"We will get a little rest prior to West Georgia coming to town. The first GSC series is always big and you want to set the tone for the rest of the conference season. I expect us to be ready to go next weekend," concluded Coach Brew.
