MONTGOMERY, Ala. – After watching the opening game of Saturday's doubleheader (7-6) against host Auburn Montgomery slip away, the Lee men's baseball team rode the strong arm of Jack Nedrow to a 5-3 victory in the nightcap and claimed the 2-1 series decision over the Warhawks.
The Flames improved to 10-9 overall and 5-4 in GSC play while AUM slips to 7-13, 4-5. Lee returns to action on Wednesday and will travel to Harrogate to face Lincoln Memorial University in a single non-conference game.
Game 1 – AUM 7, Lee 6
The Flames led 6-3 going into the bottom of the ninth inning when the Warhawks walked off on a three-run homer by Brody Syer. The inning began with an infield single and was followed with two more one-base hits before the game-winning homerun.
Clay Sagle was the starting pitcher for AUM. He worked 5.1 innings and give up four earned runs. Michael Myers came on for three innings and allowed one earned run while striking out three to pick up the win.
The Flames were led by Riley Black who had a big day with a homer, a double and three RBI. Cam Suto followed with two hits and two runs batted in while Malachi Cloud ripped a homer and a single. Luke Hughes and Dylan Standifer scored Lee's other runs.
Cameron Land was the Lee starting pitcher and gave the Flames seven solid innings. He allowed eight hits and three earned runs. David White recorded a pair of outs and Hunter Lane was charged with the loss. He surrendered three hits and four earned runs.
Game 2 – Lee 5, AUM 3
Nedrow improved his record to 5-0 on the year. The big sophomore right-hander went the distance. Over seven innings, he gave up six hits, three earned runs, struck out six and walked one.
The Flames collected nine hits. Brandon Daniels was 3-of-4, including a homerun and two RBI. Josiah Miller joined the action with a pair of hits, two runs knocked in and a run scored. Isaac Quinones homered while Standifer had a hit and a run scored and Nate Bynum posted Lee's other hit.
Grant Hickman was charged with the Warhawks loss. He pitched five complete innings and gave up four runs but only one was earned. He fanned 11 Flames and walked one. Brett Pitts pitched the final two innings. Jarren Wright had a pair of hits and drove in two runs for the Warhawks.
"It was a tough finish to game 1. We gave up too many freebies late and then they finally got the big swing," stressed Lee Coach Mark Brew after the long day ended. "I was proud of how we bounced back in game 2. Nedrow was solid again and we were able to stretch the lead late to give us some comfort. Anytime you win a series on the road in the GSC, it's a big thing and we accomplished that this weekend."
