NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Cody Turner blasted two home runs and knocked in five runs while Evan Bloomer improved his pitching record to 8-0 in leading the Lee baseball team to a key 11-6 GSC win over host Trevecca Nazarene University on Friday evening. The two clubs will complete the three-game series on Saturday afternoon with the first pitch of the doubleheader scheduled for 1 p.m.
The Flames posted their 12th victory in the last 13 starts and moved to 21-10 in GSC play and 33-14 overall. Trevecca dropped to 18-13, 29-18. The University of West Alabama split a doubleheader with The University of Alabama in Huntsville on Friday. The Tigers continue to hold a 22-10 record heading into their final game. The series between Delta State and Mississippi College, each with a 19-11 record, has been moved to Saturday and Sunday because of weather conditions.
Bloomer worked another eight solid innings. The big sophomore right-hander gave up six hits, one earned run, struck out 10 and walked one. A pair of relief hurlers, Tyler Pickens and Zach Tierney, came on in the ninth inning and ran into problems, allowing five earned runs before Turner was called on to retire the final hitter for the Trojans.
Trevecca went on top 1-0 in the first inning. Lee gained the lead in the top of the third inning and never trailed again. Braden Gabel singled and stole second. Nathan Dunfee reached on an error and Aiden McClary singled home Gabel. Dunfee later scored an unearned run on Luke Collier's RBI sacrifice fly.
The Flames went up 4-1 in the sixth inning as Isaiah French and Turner connected on back-to-back home runs. The margin grew to 8-1 in the seventh inning. JJ Williams reached on the second error of the game by the Trojans.
Gabel put down a bunt single, and Williams went all the way to third. Gabel stole second, setting up a key two-run RBI one-base hit by Dunfee that scored Williams and Gabel. The inning continued when Collier delivered a one-base knock and Turner singled home Dunfee.
Three runs in the top of the ninth inning turned out to aid the Lee victory. McClary had his second hit of the night. Collier reached on a fielder's choice when he forced McClary at second. French walked and it was time for the Turner show to continue. The big left-hander promptly drilled a three-run homer over the centerfield wall to put Lee up 11-1.
The Flames finished with 12 hits and picked up three walks. However, 12 batters fanned but only five were left on base. On the other hand, Trevecca collected 12 hits, 11 hitters went down on strikes and 10 more were left on the sacks.
The home squad had three homers in the contest, and two came in the ninth inning. Ryan Moses had a home run in the final frame and earlier doubled. Landon Rogers collected a round-tripper and Cade Martin doubled. Jaxson Christ had two hits and knocked in two runs for the Trojans. Logan Harrell (7-4) was the starting and losing Trevecca pitcher. He hurled the first six innings and allowed six hits, seven runs but just three were earned. Four other pitchers followed Harrell to the mound.
Coach Mark Brew's thoughts:
"It was a great opening night win, and Bloomer threw the ball really well. Our offense found a way to get six big runs against a really good Trevecca pitcher and then continued to tack on against the bullpen. Turner had a big day at the plate, and we had to bring him on to close it out. It's another big day tomorrow with a chance to take a series against a quality opponent."
