The Flames baseball team completed a three-game sweep of Saint Leo University with 5-4 and 9-4 wins Saturday afternoon at Southard Stadium. Lee (6-1) claimed a 3-2 victory over the Lions (2-4) in the series opener Friday night.
“What a weekend for our team,” said Lee head coach Mark Brew. “I’m really proud of how the team played all weekend. I can’t say enough about the pitching staff and the job they did. We needed a lot of guys to step up and they did just that.”
Lee returns to Olympic Field for another non-conference battle with Lincoln Memorial University. The single nine-inning game is scheduled for 3 p.m.
LEE 5, SAINT LEO 4
Spencer Mossburg and Geremy Walton led the Flames offense with two hits and one RBI each. Mossburg added a double and both of Walton’s hits were triples.
Peyton Meeker singled, Nathan Wierzgac doubled and Jordan Howard tripled to bring Lee’s hit total to seven. Wierzgac’s double scored Miguel Pimentel from first base.
“Wierzgac had a huge suicide squeeze in the sixth inning that helped gain us the lead and energize the team,” added Brew. “Mossburg and Walton did a great job at the top of the lineup setting the table for the offense.”
Art Vidrio allowed three runs in five innings of work to earn the win. Vidrio (2-0) gave up eight hits and fanned three.
“Art didn’t have his ‘A’ game today, but, as always, he gave us a chance to stay in the game. The bullpen was once again outstanding with (Corbin) Lamb, (Joe) Parete and (Kit) Larson piecing it together.
Lamb faced four batters in the sixth inning. He gave up a solo home run to Michael Mann and struck out one Lion. Parete allowed one hit, walked one and struck out two in 2 1/3 innings. Larson pitched the final 2/3 of an inning, struck out one and picked up his second save of the season.
Lane Stancil led Saint Leo’s 11-hit attack with three. Brett Coffel, Alex Mata and Mann delivered two knocks each. Shane Haight (0-1) was charged with the loss.
LEE 9, SAINT LEO 4
Two big innings were key for the Flames in the nightcap. Lee pushed three runs across in the fourth inning and five in the eighth inning.
Mossburg continued to be hot at the plate with a 3-for-5 performance in game two. The junior from Ooltewah, Tenn., scored twice in the win.
Meeker was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored. Drew Johnson was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and scored twice. Wierzgac and Miguel Pimentel added two singles each toward Lee’s 15 hits. Pimentel was credited with two RBI.
“Offensively, I thought this was one of our most relentless efforts thus far,” said Brew. “We missed a few opportunities early, but the guys kept competing until we delivered the knockout blow in the eighth. Johnson, Meeker and Pimentel had big swings with runners in scoring position.”
Wes Albert was the game two winner on the mound. Albert (1-0) gave up five hits, two runs, walked three and struck out six in five innings of work.
“Wes did an excellent job competing through some tough moments early. He made some big pitches in big spots to keep their offense down early and allow our offense to get going,” said Brew. “Once again, the bullpen picked us up and threw four quality innings.”
Michael Ray and Lamb were beneficiaries of double plays to help them face the minimum in the sixth and seventh innings, respectively. Ray gave up a hit and Lamb walked a batter before the twin-killings.
Rob Gustitus pitched the eighth inning. He gave up a run on two hits, a walk and two strikeouts. Jay Prior was tagged with an unearned run, two hits and one walk, while striking out one in the ninth.