BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Logan Workman was his usual self and Andy Rivera worked himself out of a jam in the bottom of the ninth inning as the 6^th-ranked Lee baseball team improved to 22-2 and claimed their 11^th straight victory with a 3-1 decision over host Miles College at the legendary Rockwood Field on Friday afternoon.  

The contest was played in two hours and 20 minutes. Workman (4-0) worked seven innings and allowed just two hits. He fanned 11 and walked one Golden Bear. Rivera registered his eighth save of the season. He did not give up a hit but surrendered an unearned run. He struck out three and walked two. 

"It wasn't our best effort as a team, but we found a way to get the win," remarked Coach Mark Brew. "Workman gave us a solid performance, but they were able to match us and keep the game close. We just could not get a big hit with runners in scoring position in order to push away from them. We will have our hands full tomorrow and need to play much better to get the series." 

Saturday's doubleheader is slated for a 1 p.m. first pitch. No video is available but live stats can be viewed by going to the Lee website and selecting the baseball schedule.  

The Flames jumped on top in the first inning when Alan Smith blasted his fifth homer of the year over the left-center-field wall. The 1-0 margin held until the top of the fifth inning when Thomas Zazzaro lifted his fourth home run over the right-center-field fence.  

A badly needed insurance run helped secure the win in the top of the seventh. Justen Freeman was hit by a pitch. Ryan Beamish reached on a fielder's choice and Freeman advanced to second on a throwing error. The Flames got a break when Landon Silver struck out but reached first on a passed ball. Freeman scored an unearned run on the play, giving the Flames a 3-0 lead. Colton Yeager was the only Flame with two hits as they managed four hits over nine innings. 

Rivera sailed through the bottom of the eight but ran into trouble in the bottom of the ninth. Drake Fondren came on to pitch hit and received a free pass. Destin Davidson was safe on an error and Peyton Caron walked to load the bases. With the infield back, Jeffrey Wright hit into a double play that allowed Fondren to score the Golden Bears only run. Rivera struck out a hitter for the final out of the game. 

James Owen also hurled seven innings and threw 123 pitches in the tough loss. He allowed four hits, two earned runs, recorded six strikeouts and walked five. Austin Douglas went to the bump for the final two frames and was near perfect, fanning three and issuing no free passes.