After losing the first game of the doubleheader on Saturday afternoon 10-8 to visiting Alabama Huntsville, Lee University earned a split by defeating the Chargers in the nightcap 11-0. The GSC contests were played at Larry Carpenter Stadium and Flames stand at 12-17 overall and 6-10 in conference play. The Chargers have an identical 12-17 overall mark and stand at 5-8 in league action.
The Flames return to non-conference action on Tuesday, hosting Tusculum University in a single nine-inning contest. The first pitch is slated for 6 p.m.
Game 1 – UAH 10, Lee 8
"It's tough to dig a 10-2 hole and find a way to win, but we were one swing away at the end. Landon Maynor did an excellent job in relief," commented Coach Mark Brew.
Huntsville jumped out to a 10-2 lead after 4 ½ innings before the Flames began to rally back and almost staged one of the top comebacks of the season. Lee scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth and single runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings to trip the margin down to two runs.
In the bottom of the ninth, Joshua Perez singled with nobody out and went to second on a passed ball. After a strikeout, Justen Freeman had a one-base hit to put the tying run on base. Dylan Standifer ripped a drive to right field that resulted in a leaping catch by the charging right-fielder and Cam Suto followed with another single to load the bases. The game ended on another hard-hit ball to right field that was caught by right-fielder Landon Ezzell.
Each team had 16 hits in the wild contest and a total of eight pitchers were used. Cameron Land (3-2) was the starter and was charged with the loss. Freshman Landon Maynor stole the show. The right-handed hurler worked 4.2 innings and gave up just one hit to the visitors. He struck out four and did not walk a man.
Connor Brooks started for the Chargers, but Cody Keiser came on and pitched a couple of innings and was credited with the pitching win. Tanner Giles was called on in the eighth inning and worked 1.1 innings, allowing three hits and gained the save.
Suto had a huge day at the plate for the Flames. He banged out five hits, including his fourth homerun of the year. His five hits tied a school record for most hits in a single game. The Lee first baseman drove home two runs and scored twice. Freeman, Standifer, Brandon Daniels and Riley Majano had two hits each. Daniels had a pair of doubles and knocked in two runs. Standifer also doubled and scored twice. Majano tallied a double and a single. Jake Edwards rounded out the four Lee players who had two-base hits.
Jackson Lindsey and Jeff Hunter swung the big bats for the Chargers. Hunter drove a pair of homers over the left-field wall and finished the day with four RBI and three runs scored. Lindsey had three hits including a double. Ezzell plated a pair of runs and scored once.
Game 2 – Lee 11, UAH 0
"I'm proud of how we responded after a tough loss in game one. Nedrow once again turned in a terrific performance and Cam Suto had a great day offensively and I thought Riley Majano gave us some great at bats out of the designated-hitter spot," added Brew.
The Flames returned the favor in the nightcap and rode the strong six-hit pitching of freshman Jack Nedrow (4-4) to the victory. He struck out five and did not walk a man in pitching the complete seven-inning contest.
Lee jumped on top 3-0 in the first inning and never looked back. With one out, Freeman and Standifer singled. Daniels stepped to the plate and stroked his first homerun of the year over the left-field wall. Nedrow took charge the rest of the day.
The Flames put the game on ice in the fourth inning when they sent 10 batters to the plate. Edwards and Perez started the rally with singles and Freeman delivered a double down the left-field line that plated Edwards and Perez. Standifer got into the act with a homer that cleared the left-field wall and scored Freeman.
The big rally continued when Suto continued his big day with a double. Daniels walked and Issac Quinones got into the homerun act with a three-run four-bagger to left. The end result was seven runs and found the Flames on top 10-0. Lee tagged on one more run in the bottom of the fifth when Freeman collected another two-base hit and scored on an RBI single by Standifer.
The Flames pounded 16 hits with Freeman, Standifer and Suto all having three hits apiece. Standifer, Suto and Freeman each collected three RBI and Freeman scored three runs. Quinones joined the three RBI club with two hits in two trips to the plate. Majano also doubled. Suto finished the doubleheader with eight total hits including a homerun and a pair of doubles.
Tyler Self (2-4) was the starting and losing Huntsville pitcher. He pitched 3.1 innings and gave up 12 hits and eight earned runs. Michael Rottier was the only Charger with two hits.
