CLEVELAND, Tenn.-Visiting Auburn University at Montgomery posted three runs in the top of the first inning and never trailed in handing the Lee University baseball team an 8-2 defeat on Sunday afternoon at Larry Carpenter Stadium.

After winning Saturday's doubleheader in the Gulf South Conference three-game series, the Flames were able to secure their fourth straight series and improved to 8-4 in conference play, 18-8 overall. The Warhawks improved to 9-5, 14-14.

Lee returns to non-conference play on Tuesday, hosting the University of North Georgia. The single nine-inning game is slated for a 5 p.m. first pitch. The Flames will face Christian Brothers University in a GSC three-game series next weekend at Larry Carpenter Stadium.

The Warhawks sent eight hitters to the plate in the first inning and their first three hitters reached base against Lee starter Nelson Smith. The right-hander (3-3) was charged with the loss after pitching 3.2 innings. He allowed five hits and six earned runs.

Five other Flames pitchers worked before the day ended. Cole Matthaidess (2.0), David White (1.0), Zachary Lawson (1.0) and Hunter Lane (1.0) turned in solid performances on the mound.

Lee cut the margin to 3-1 in the bottom of the third inning. Brantley Cutler had a two-base hit and scored on a RBI double by Ashton Simmons. The Warhawks quickly put the contest out of reach with four runs in the fourth inning and led 7-1.

The Flames' only other run came in the bottom of the sixth on a long homerun by Matthew Batts. It was his fourth homer of the year. Lee finished with eight hits and Batts was the only Flame with more than one hit. He also singled in the fourth inning.

Luke Collier and Riley Black joined Cutler and Simmons with two-base hits. Dylan Standifer and JJ Williams also had singles in the loss.

The Warhawks collected 10 hits. Ashton Thomas banged out a double, single, was hit by a pitch and walked to set the pace for the winners. He also scored two runs and drove in another. Tyrese Rooks enjoyed a big day with a pair of singles and a two-base hit. He scored twice and drove in a pair.

The top of the AUM batting order produced six of the team's eight runs. Zach Dew collected two hits and crossed home plate twice. Kasey Clark reached base three times in joining Rooks with solid performances.

Clay Sagle (3-2) was the starting and winning pitcher for the Warhawks. In five innings he gave up five hits and one earned run. Brett Pitts was called on for three innings and allowed three hits and an earned run. Ryan Slaten pitched the final inning.

Coach Mark Brew's thoughts:

"I don't feel I had the team as ready to play today as AUM. Also, I probably hesitated on a pitching change to a batter, too late, and that helped them get bigger innings than maybe they would have. 

"We knew AUM would put lots of balls in play and we added too many freebies to that formula. Also, as good as our offense has been, we couldn't come up with that big at-bat or big swing we've been able to get.

"Credit to AUM. They battled like they had to have this one and the results showed that. We've got to get back to it as we bring a really quality North Georgia team to the Carp on Tuesday."