PENSACOLA, Florida – In one of the wildest second innings the Lee baseball team has played in this season, the Flames jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the top of the second only to have Tampa University (18-4) counter with five runs in the bottom of the frame. What finally turned out to be a 12-7 loss dropped the Flames into the loser's bracket and they will likely face Alabama Huntsville for the second time in the South Regional on Saturday at 12 noon (EST).
"Our offense really came out and did a tremendous job chasing the (Tampa) starter with the six-run second inning, but the new pitcher was able to keep us off balance the rest of the way. On the mound we have to pitch more aggressively with a lead. Tampa has a good team, but we didn't make them earn too much early and that hurt along with a couple of big wild pitches late that extended the lead for them. We will regroup tomorrow and get ready to go. There's no need to look ahead. Whoever we play, we have to win that game and then move forward. I expect us to keep fighting and be ready to go," commented Coach Mark Brew as his club dropped to 35-10.
Thomas Zazzaro blasted a key three-run homer in the second that chased Tampa starter Braydon Nelson. Dalton Ross also took his licks before Tampa went to the bullpen and called on Eric Linder. He pitched seven innings of five-hit ball, allowing only a solo homer by Colton Yeager. Linder walked one and fanned 11 Lee hitters. He improved his record to 5-1 overall.
The Flames finished the afternoon with nine hits. Brandon Daniels led the way with three hits. The freshman had an RBI and scored once. Alan Smith finished with a pair of singles and Joshua Perez had a one-base knock that plated a run. He also crossed the dish once. Ryan Beamish scored Lee's only other run.
Alex Harper-Cook started and pitched 1.2 innings. He allowed two hits, four earned runs, walked three and struck out two. Alan Rickman followed and surrendered two hits, an earned run and walked one. Andrew Franklin came on to limit the damage for the Flames. The lefty worked 4.1 innings, allowing five hits and three earned runs. He walked two and fanned two. Michael Hendricks pitched the final two frames, giving up two earned runs. Franklin (1-1) was charged with the loss.
The Spartans got a key three-run homer from Jamarcis Lyons. He also scored two runs as did EJ Cumbo and Drew Ehrhard. Christian Flint had the only other extra-base hit in Tampa's 10-hit attack. The Flames were also charged with two errors while the Spartans played errorless baseball.
