JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Lee University rode the top midweek pitching of starter Frankie Volkers and relievers Cole Matthaidess, David White and Tim Gooden to a 3-1 victory over host Carson-Newman University on Tuesday afternoon. The win gave the Flames a two-game sweep over the Eagles this season.
Volkers worked 6.1 innings and threw 106 pitches in gaining his first win of the season. Matthaidess came in with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning and retired two straight hitters to get Volkers out of a jam. White faced a pair of hitters and gave up a hit before Gooden was called on for the final 1.1 frames and registered the save. Volkers struck out 10 and walked two. White got a pair of strikeouts and walked a hitter while Gooden sent two Eagles down swinging.
The Flames made the best of five hits in the win. The first tally came in the fourth inning. Matthew Batts doubled and later scored on an RBI groundout by Luke Collier. Dylan Standifer continued his hot hitting of late. His single through the right side scored Josiah Miller who had earlier doubled in the inning. Lee's leading hitter Brandon Daniels gave the Flames all the insurance they needed when he doubled home Standifer and made it a 3-1 game.
The Eagles jumped on top 1-0 in the bottom of the third inning but were never able to score again against the consistent Lee pitching. Volkers allowed the earned run in the third frame and gave up four hits. White surrendered the only other hit of the entire afternoon. James Denten had a hit and a RBI for the losers while Travis Harrison doubled.
The Eagles used five pitchers in the contest. Brooke Cullpepper started and pitched four inning of two-hit ball. Coltin Reynolds followed and was charged with the defeat. In one inning he gave up three hits and two earned runs.
The Flames are scheduled to return to conference action on Friday and Saturday, hosting Auburn University at Montgomery. Friday's single game is slated for a 4 p.m. start and Saturday's doubleheader will get underway at noon. All the action will be played at Larry Carpenter Stadium on Olympic Field.
Coach Mark Brew's thoughts:
"It was a well-pitched game by both teams. We were able to execute a few offensive situations that helped us grab the lead.
"Volkers was tremendous and our bullpen was up to the task by pitching around some big situations late. It's always a tough place to play and an even tougher place to only allow one run. My hat's off to our pitching staff for its dominance in this one."
