JACKSON, Tenn. – What a difference a game makes! The Lee baseball team run-ruled host Union University 13-3 in the opening game of a GSC doubleheader on Friday afternoon. The Bulldogs turned things around in the nightcap, limiting the Flames to only four hits and claiming a 4-0 victory.
The two-game split leaves the Flames at 7-4 in conference play and 15-5 overall. Union improved to 3-8, 9-11. Due to the possibility of afternoon rain, the final game of the three-game series slated for Saturday has been moved to an 11 a.m. EST first pitch.
Game 1 – Lee 13, Union 3
The Flames connected for 17 hits in the seven-inning run-rule contest. Every hitter in the lineup but two posted hits. Cody Turner had a double and a pair of singles in leading the attack. He drove in four runs and scored once.
On the mound, Evan Bloomer (4-0) worked the entire seven innings. He allowed five hits, three earned runs, struck out six and walked two.
Freshman Casen Youngblood blasted his sixth homer of the year. He also knocked in two runs. The top of the order saw Landon Franklin bang out three hits, collect an RBI and score once. Luke Collier followed with a two-base hit and a single. He had two RBI and scored three times. Isaiah French had three hits, an RBI and tallied twice.
Aiden McClary was the only other Flame to connect for more than one knock. He had two singles and crossed home plate once. JJ Williams drove in two runs with his one-base hit. He also tallied a run. Ryan Valdes posted a hit and a run scored while Nate Dunfee had Lee's other base hit.
Kylon Joyner drove in two of Union's three runs with a triple. He also scored once while Jordan Allen had a sac fly to push across the third run. Carter Daniel (1-4) was the starter and losing Bulldog pitcher. He gave up 12 hits over four innings. Nathan Myers came on for the final three frames.
Game 2 – Union 4, Lee 0
Union pitcher Lance Evans (1-0) silenced the Lee bats in the final seven innings of the doubleheader. He allowed just four hits in shutting out the Flames for the first time this season. Evans struck out eight and walked three.
The Bulldogs totaled five hits off Lee starting pitcher Dylan Van Meeteren (2-1). Three of Union's four runs came in the first inning. The right-hander pitched five innings. He surrendered three earned runs, fanned six and did not allow a walk. Tyler Pickens hurled the final inning. He gave up one hit and one run.
French, Williams, Braden Gabel and Dunfee were the Lee hitters in the loss. Ethan Quinn did major damage for Union. He had a double, triple, and two RBI. Caleb Davis also had a three-base knock to go along with a single and
a run scored while Allen got into the act with a hit and an RBI.
Coach Mark Brew's thoughts:
"It was a tale of two different games. We were able to score early and often in game one, but in game two we had few opportunities, and I have to tip my cap to the Union pitcher Evans. He did a really nice job. I thought we pitched well most of the day and felt our pitching was good enough to get two wins, but we will settle for the split. Now we will see what happens with rain tomorrow and see if we can get the series completed."
