HARROGATE, Tennessee – On an afternoon when Lee's top four hitters produced only two hits and host LMU's top of the lineup delivered six hits and drove in eight runs, the Railsplitters posted a 9-5 victory over the Flames.
With the loss, Lee drops to 10-9 and will return to GSC play this weekend when they travel to Cleveland, Mississippi and face Delta State in a three-game series on Saturday and Sunday. LMU earned a split with the two games with the Flames this season and improved to 11-8.
Lee Coach Mark Brew probably explained it best when he said, "Offensively, it's the first time we've struggled this much at the top of the line-up so it was hard to get much going.
"It is also hard to win giving up nine walks and several stolen bases. We will continue to work through and try to push the right buttons and get the right guys on the mound."
Seven Lee pitchers worked. Alan Zhang Carter returned after missing the beginning of the season recovering from arm surgery. He struck out three, walked one and allowed a hit in one inning. "It was good to see Carter make his return," noted Coach Brew. "We are also going to need a spark in the bullpen."
Kade Kozak (1.1 innings) allowed one hit, no runs and two walks. Sam Fulton (3.0 innings) allowed one hit, one earned run, walked one and struck out one. Both were solid out of the bullpen for the Flames. Tim Gooden, who came on for 2/3 of an inning was charged with the loss. He allowed three hits and two earned runs.
All totaled Lee had eight hits. Nate Bynum delivered a double, a single and drove in one run. Riley Majano picked up a pair of RBI. Luke Hughes banged out two hits and scored three times. Joshua Perez tallied two runs and posted one hit while Brandon Daniels ripped a pair of hits.
As mentioned earlier the top of the order produced for LMU. Chris Hall was the leader with two doubles, a triple, three RBI and one run scored. Carson Boles was not far behind with a triple, a single and three RBI. Tucker Hagan followed with a hit, RBI and two tallies while Cameron Bowen contributed a hit, RBI and a run.
The Railsplitters sent five pitchers to the mound. Brennan Murphy hurled the first two innings and allowed two earned runs. Ethan Bobo was next and gave up one earned run. Kevin Norton picked up the win working two innings. He allowed just one hit and no runs. Mason Turner pitched a perfect ninth and got the save.
