CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The Lee University baseball team continues to swing the hot bats, banging out 16 hits in opening the three-game Gulf South Conference series with the Auburn University Montgomery on Friday evening.
The 16-6, seven-inning run-rule victory at Larry Carpenter Stadium over the Warhawks, improved the Flames to 4-3 in GSC play and 12-3 overall. The struggling AUM team dropped to 1-6, 4-11. The three-game series will continue on Saturday with two games being played at The Carp beginning at 1 p.m.
The Flames put the contest out of reach with eight runs in the second inning and were never challenged. Landon Franklin had three hits, knocked in four runs and scored three times to pace Lee's hitting attack.
Isaiah French, Cody Turner, JJ Williams, Braden Gabel and Nate Dunfee had two hits apiece. French and Turner doubled while Turner joined Gabel with two RBI each.
Keilin Sanders had only one hit but scored three times while French scored a pair of runs and Dunfee crossed home three times before the afternoon ended. Luke Collier also doubled, scored a run, and posted a RBI. Williams had a double to go along with his RBI.
Lee ended the game in the seventh inning. Sanders was hit by a pitch. Gabel and Nate Caraballo drew free passes and Caraballo later ended the game when he scored on a wild pitch.
Evan Bloomer (3-0) went five innings and was credited with the pitching win. He allowed eight hits and six earned runs, fanning four and walking two. Landon Nease came on for two perfect final innings.
Will Passeau batted in a pair of runs for the Warhawks. Luke Turner doubled and scored a run while Kurt Kizer homered in the second inning. Bryce Ainsworth was the only Warhawk with two hits. He also scored one of their six runs. Lucas Baggett (0-1) was the losing pitcher. He worked in one inning and gave up four earned runs. Four other AUM pitchers followed Baggett to the mound.
Coach Mark Brew's thoughts:
"It was a great offensive day for our team. We had lots of contributors in the lineup, and I thought Landon Franklin really set the tone from the top of the lineup. Bloomer didn't have his best stuff today, but he battled on the mound. I thought Landon Nease did a really nice job coming out of the bullpen to finish the game. I was also pleased with the solid defense all day. AUM has a good team and we need to be ready to go tomorrow from the first pitch in order to win the series."
