LIVINGSTON, Ala. – West Alabama turned back rallies by the Lee baseball team in the eighth and ninth innings in posting a 13-9 victory over the Flames on Sunday afternoon at Tartt Field. The win gave the Tigers the 2-1 edge in the three-game series.
Lee enjoyed a 4-2 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning behind the pitching of Sam Fulton but the Tigers loaded the bases in the frame and Coach Mark Brew went to his bullpen. West Alabama pounced on the situation and put six big runs on the board to take an 8-4 lead.
The Flames were not dead and came fighting back in the top of the eighth inning with four runs to tie the game at eight. With two outs Nate Hattier singled and Nate Bynum doubled down the left-field line. Luke Hughes was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Dylan Standifer, who enjoyed a tremendous day at the plate, ripped a double that plated three runs. Cam Suto followed with a one-base hit to tie the game again.
The Tigers roared back in the bottom of the eighth and took the lead for good with five runs. Again, the Flames tried to fight back with two outs in the top of the ninth. Hattier and Bynum singled. Hughes reached on an error and Hattier scored when Standifer went down on strikes but the catcher could not handle the pitch. Suto flied out to end the final threat.
"It is hard to overcome a five and six run inning late, but we tried bouncing back from one and had the tying run on base at the plate in the end," remarked Coach Brew. "However, we had no answers out of bullpen today. Sam (Fulton) gave us a quality start and we had plenty of offense. It is a tough place to play, but it's made tougher by some self-inflicted mistakes. Give West Alabama credit. They kept the pressure on us late and we couldn't get off the field.
"We will need short memories with a trip to Jackson in mid-week and another tough series with Mississippi College over the weekend." The Flames travel to Jackson on Tuesday for a non-conference game against Lane College before hosting Mississippi College in a three-game series next Friday and Saturday.
Fulton worked six innings, allowing six hits and five earned runs. He fanned four and walked one. Five other Lee pitchers toed the rubber, allowing eight runs, five earned. Jax Howard was the most impressive when he came on in the bottom of the eighth to strike out both batters he faced. Sean Casteel hurled only 0.1 of an inning and was charged with the loss. Tim Gooden, David White and Hunter Lane also were called on before the long day ended.
The Flames collected 11 hits with Standifer driving in five runs. In the top of the fourth, Lee struck with two outs. Gavin Baxter and Hughes walked. Standifer drilled his first of two doubles and knocked in two runs while Suto followed with a one-base hit to drive in a score. Standifer and Suto doubled and finished with three hits apiece. They drove in seven of Lee's nine runs. Standifer scored two more. Josiah Miller added two hits and an RBI. Hattier and Bynum joined the two-hit attack while Hattier scored twice and Bynum had a two-base hit.
Michael Rich enjoyed a big day for the Tigers. He homered twice, doubled, collected three RBI and scored three times. Jake Nemith and Houston Kitterman had two-base hits and both drove in a pair of runs. Colden Peeples joined in the 12-hit West Alabama hitting attack by driving in two runs with a key single.
The Tigers used five pitchers in holding off the Flame rallies. Jayian Stone started and pitched four innings, allowing five hits and three earned runs. Jordan Felps came on for 3.2 innings. Gates Pee pitched an inning but got credit for the win while Brenton Thiels got the final out of the game and picked up the save.
