PENSACOLA, Fla. – Cody Turner led the way with his hitting and pitching as Lee University defeated the University of West Florida 6-3 in the opening game of a three-game GSC series at Jim Spooner Field on Friday afternoon. The win improved the Flames conference mark to 13-9 and they stand at 22-13 overall. The Argonauts dropped to 16-6, 27-7. The two clubs will close out the series with a doubleheader on Saturday with the first game slated to begin at 2 p.m.
Turner came on in relief of starter Evan Bloomer in the seventh inning. He faced nine West Florida hitters and fanned seven. The lefty did not walk a batter in picking up his second save of the season. Bloomer pushed his season record to 5-0. The big right-hander worked six complete innings, allowing 10 hits and two earned runs. He struck out four and issued only one free pass.
At the plate, Turner did major damage. The Flames quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Isaiah French picked up a free pass and Turner followed with his eighth jack-shot of the season. The lead was short lived when the Argos moved on top 3-2 in the second inning.
Lee took the lead for good by scoring three runs in the fifth inning. Aiden McClary reached on a fielding error and Luke Collier singled. French reached when his failed bunt attempt forced McClary at third, leaving him safe on a fielder's choice. Turner's big bat struck again when he doubled to plate both Collier and French. All totaled, Turner drove home four of Lee's runs on the day and scored once.
The final score came in the sixth inning. Keilin Sanders was safe on an error. McClary put down a sac bunt, pushing Sanders to second. Collier immediately followed with his third hit of the day, a double that plated Sanders.
All totaled, Lee made the best of eight hits. Turner and Collier were joined by one hit apiece by McClary, Nate Caraballo and Braden Gabel.
West Florida outhit the Flames 11-8. Zach Stokes had three hits and drove in a run while Tyler Brobst and Greg Bettay had a pair of knocks each.
The Argonauts used three pitchers in the loss. Colton Dorsey (3-2) started and hurled 4.2 innings. He gave up seven hits and five earned runs. Blake Thomas followed for an inning. Braden Rapp was impressive for three innings. He did not give up a hit, struck out three and walked two.
Coach Mark Brew's thoughts:
"It was a great Friday night win against a really good team. Bloomer settled down and posted several shutout innings to give our offense a chance to get the lead back. Turner was awesome on the back end and had a big day at the plate as did Collier."
