JACKSON, Tennessee – Lee bounced back from a disappointing first-game 5-4 loss to host Union University by defeating the Bulldogs 5-1 in the second contest and setting up the final contest of the three-game series on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m.
"As disappointed as I was in how we let game one slip away, I am equally proud of our response in game two," said Lee Coach Mark Brew after the long day ended. "(Jack) Nedrow was tremendous, and his complete game effort is huge in protecting our bullpen for the important series finale on Sunday."
Game 1 – Union 5, Lee 4
The Flames led 4-3 heading into the ninth inning when the Bulldogs rallied with two runs to pull out the victory. Miguel Alba gave the Flames five solid innings before running into control problems and walking three batters in the fifth inning. He gave up four hits and allowed three earned runs, walked four and struck out four.
Sean Casteel pitched 0.1 innings and gave up a pair of hits. Brycen Jewell came on to settle things down and gave the Flames two solid innings of mound work, allowing just one hit, walking one, hitting a batter and striking out two. Hunter Lane entered in search of securing the save in the ninth but ran into problems and was charged with the loss. He allowed three hits and two earned runs.
Lee had 11 hits in the loss. Luke Hughes had three hits and scored a run. Jared Demkowicz and Brandon Daniels collected a pair of hits each. Both collected RBI and scored runs. Thomas Zazzaro, Justen Freeman and Matthew Batts had Lee's other hits. Batts also scored a run.
AJ Zeak started and pitched five innings for Union. Jack Rasmussen hurled the next four innings and was credited with the victory. He allowed six hits and three earned runs. Jake Baker doubled and singled and Patrick Music had two hits for the Bulldogs.
Game 2 – Lee 5, Union 1
Nedrow posted his second win of the year against one defeat in going the distance in the seven-inning contest. He gave up four hits, an earned run, struck out eight and walked two. Sam McMillin was charged with the loss. He surrendered three hits and three earned runs.
The Flames made the best of four hits in the win. Daniels finished the two games with four hits in his seven plate appearances. He had two hits in the win and scored one of the five runs. Dylan Standifer had a hit and scored a run while Hughes doubled for Lee's other base knock. Demkowicz, Isaac Quinones and Nate Bynum tallied the Flames other scores.
Britt Netterville homered for Union's only run. Grayson Swanson doubled, and Music joined Josh Bozoian with the Bulldogs other base hits. Union was guilty of two costly errors while the Flames played error-free baseball in the nightcap.
