Alabama Huntsville put six runs on the scoreboard in the fourth inning and then rode the solid pitching of Wells Deloney to a 6-1 victory over Lee University at Larry Carpenter Stadium on Friday afternoon.
Deloney made his first start of the season and pitched the entire nine innings. He allowed only three hits, one earned run, struck out six and walked three in throwing 119 pitches. "You have to credit their pitcher as he did a great job, but we've got to find a way to string together some better at bats going into tomorrow," said Lee baseball coach Mark Brew after his Flames slipped to 12-16 overall and 6-9 in GSC play.
The Chargers sent 10 men to the plate in the disastrous fourth inning. Landon Ezell drew a walk. Jackson Lindsey collected one of his team's three hits in the inning. Carson Villalta reached on a costly error and Daniel McCary drilled a two-run homer over the left-center field wall. Three walks and an RBI single by Garrett Bodine forced Brew to make a pitching change. Sam Fulton got a ground out RBI by Austin Reed and then Ezell flied out to end the inning.
All totaled, Fulton pitched 5.2 innings allowing just three hits and no earned runs. He fanned three and did not walk a batter. Lee starter Miguel Alba hurled 3.1 innings before running into the fourth inning problems. He allowed three hits and four earned runs. However, he walked three and hit one batter while striking out four. The loss dropped his record to 1-2.
"The big inning in the fourth hurt. And unfortunately, that's been a common theme for us in the last couple weeks. We have to find a way to make a play or make a pitch and get out of those situations. Sam Fulton did a really good job, but we just couldn't get anything together offensively," explained Brew.
The Flames only run came in the bottom of the eighth inning when Isaac Quinones drilled a line-drive over the left-field fence. Brandon Daniels and Cam Suto singled for Lee's only other hits.
The three-game series continues Saturday at 1 p.m. Coach Brew said sophomore Cameron Land would get the start in the first game and freshman Jack Nedrow would work the nightcap.
