What a difference a game makes! After collecting 18 hits and scoring 15 runs in the opening contest against visiting Christian Brothers University, the Flames managed only three hits in squeaking out a win in the nightcap.
The first game (15-2) ended on a grand-slam home run by Luke Toms in the bottom of the eighth inning. The suspense grew in the nightcap when the Bucs loaded the bases in the top of the seventh inning only to see the Flames turn a double play in the 2-1 victory.
The Flames improved to 15-9 in the important Gulf South Conference standings and 26-14 overall. They have now won 13 of their last 15 GSC contests and 18 of 21 overall.
LEE 15, CHRISTIAN BROTHERS 2
Luke Toms pushed his home run total to 13 with a pair of homers in the eight-inning (run rule) affair. In the top of the eighth inning, Tyler Payne stroked a double, Ben Holland walked and Trent Hill singled to load the bases. Toms promptly lifted a fly ball over the 400-foot sign in dead center-field.
Toms finished the first game with four hits, five RBI and scored three times. Holland was 3-of-3 with a homer. He tallied four runs. Kyle Briner got into the act with a double and two singles. He collected three RBI.
The hit parade continued with two hits and two runs scored by Payne. Hill followed with two hits, two runs batted in and two runs scored. Nate Wierzgac collected two hits and scored a run.
Lee lefty Art Vidrio (5-3) worked seven innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs. He struck out seven and walked three. Michael Ray pitched the final inning. He did not allow a hit while fanning one and give up one free pass.
Peyton Sanderlin was the starting and losing Christian Brothers hurler. In five innings, he gave up 10 hits, nine earned runs, walking six and striking out three.
LEE 2, CHRISTIAN BROTHERS 1
The Bucs tried to turn the table on the Flames in Saturday’s final game. Justin Alleman entered the seventh inning seeking to go the distance. However, Gill Erwin and Scott Pala stroked back-to-back singles and Nick Traylor walked to load the bases with one out. Overall, Alleman (5-3) gave up one earned run, struck out nine and walked one.
Head coach Mark Brew quickly went to the bullpen and called on closer Kyle Briner. The senior side-armer got Michael Halley to send a ground ball to Shea Durham at second. He whirled and fired to Toms on the bag at second and in turn Toms fired to Holland at first to complete the double play and end the game. Briner picked up his third save of the year.
“We brought Briner into the game in hopes he could get a ground ball,” said Brew. “He is excellent at doing just that and it worked this afternoon. Tip your hat to Christian Brothers. They came firing back at us after losing that first game. But I’ve said all along, you’ve got to be careful in those seven-inning games.”
The Flames scored their only runs of the game on the long home run by Toms. Payne had reached on an error to begin the third inning before the long-ball came. Lee’s other hit in the contest was collected by Wierzgac.
Christian Brothers out-hit the Flames 6-3. Six different players had one hit each, while Casey Goodwin collected his team’s only RBI. Lefty Patrick Gurley kept the Flames off balance most of the afternoon. In allowing just three hits, he did surrender two earned runs, walking two and striking out one.
The two teams will meet again in the third game of the three-game series on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.