With Siosi Poti and Derrick Pitts swinging the heavy bats and six different pitchers locking down visiting Kentucky State hitters, the Lee baseball team improved to 5-0 on a cool Friday afternoon by posting 11-1, 10-0 victories.
In the twinbill, the Flames collected 21 hits, 10 going for extra bases. At the same time, the Lee pitching staff continued to standout. In 14 innings, they allowed only three hits, one earned run and struck out 20 Kentucky State batters.
"Once again I thought we pitched extremely well on a very cold day," said coach Mark Brew.
"Our defense was solid and I was pleased to see how far our bats have come in a week's time."
LEE 11, KENTUCKY STATE 1
Poti had a single, double and triple, plus scoring twice and knocking in five runs in the opening game of a doubleheader at Olympic Field. The junior centerfielder had three hits in five trips to the plate. Jordan Stewart and Zack Zyburt stroked doubles and also singled as the Flames pounded out nine hits. Zyburt also scored three runs and Stewart collected a pair of RBI.
Seth Gower countered with a two-run homer over the left-centerfield wall. Zacary Hawkins chipped in with a hit and two runs scored. He also turned in a nifty double play from his first-base position.
Jeremy Stawychny hurled four innings and picked up his second win of the season. He allowed only two hits, one earned run and struck out seven and did not walk a Thoroughbred hitter. Lefty Grayson Bailey came on to pitch two innings. He gave up one hit, struck out three and did not walk a batter. Freshman Rob Gustitus closed things out in the seventh. He also did not allow a hit and walked one batter.
"Siosi (Poti) was locked in during game one and had three great swings that obviously led us offensively," noted Brew. "Zyburt was also very impressive in his first collegiate start."
LEE 10, KENTUCKY STATE 0
Not to be outdone, Nikolay Uherek, Kyle Briner and CJ Lusted combined to shutout the Thoroughbreds in the nightcap. Uherek surrendered six hits and struck out six in four innings. Briner was perfect in his two innings and also struck out two. Lusted followed by pitching hitless ball and fanning two in two innings.
The Flames ripped 12 hits off a pair of Kentucky State hurlers and five went for extra bases. Pitts was 3-of-4 with a homerun, double and a single. He drove in three runs and scored three times. Poti doubled and singled. He scored twice and collected an RBI. Cameron Scott knocked in two runs. He also scored once.
"Pitts followed up in game two with a very solid effort at the plate," added the coach.
For the losing Thoroughbreds, Michael Swayne had two hits and Matt Freire doubled. Joe Dotson was the starting and losing pitcher. In the opening game, Josh Dunn pitched five innings and was charged with the defeat.
The Flames will be back in action on Saturday at noon, hosting Kentucky State in a single nine-inning affair. "We will have to come out with the same enthusiasm and energy tomorrow and try to finish this series," pointed out the Lee skipper. "We will once again try to get multiple guys on the mound to help prepare us for the conference opener next week."