Tusculum pitchers Ethan Carpenter (4-0) and Billy Siwer gave up only five hits over nine innings and handed the 23-16 Lee Flames a 3-1 defeat at Pioneer Park on Tuesday evening.
The Pioneers (25-14) struck for three runs off losing pitcher CJ Lusted (2-3) in the second inning. Lee battled back for its only run of the contest in the third inning when Derrick Pitts singled to drive home Zack Zyburt. Lee stranded seven base runners and Tusculum left six runs on the bases.
Blake Ray was the only Lee player with two hits, while Zac Hawkins and David Logan joined Pitts with the other one-base knocks.
John Tullidge and Chris Waylock had a pair of hits each for the winners. Both scored a run and Waylock had a RBI. Taylor Foster laced a double for the only extra-base hit of the contest.
Lusted pitched 4 2/3 innings and allowed six hits, three earned runs, walked one and fanned two. Rubber-armed Jeremy Bales pitched the final 3 1/3 innings. He gave up one hit, walked two and struck out one.
Carpenter hurled the opening seven innings for Tusculum. He allowed four hits, one earned run, walked three and fanned five. Siwer came in to claim his third save of the year. In two innings he allowed one hit, a free pass and struck out one.
The Flames return to Gulf South action on Saturday and will host North Alabama in a doubleheader slated for a 2 p.m. opening pitch. The two clubs will play a single game on Sunday, also beginning at 2.