Shorter University scored five runs with two outs in the second inning, then came back with three runs in the third and added three more in the fourth frame to build up an 11-1 lead over Lee in Monday’s GSC tournament action being played at Choccolocco Park.
The seven-inning run-rule victory over the Flames (30-22) moved the Hawks (28-21) into a Tuesday date with Alabama Huntsville. Earlier on Monday, Huntsville became one of the three teams remaining in the eight-team field by eliminating top-seeded Delta State.
The winner of the Shorter, Huntsville game will play Lee for the championship on Tuesday at approximately 3:30 Eastern.
In the second inning, Shorter’s five-run rally began with two outs. The seventh and eighth place hitters singled, followed by a hit batter to load the bases and a free pass plated the first run of the uprising. Lyndon Weaver capitalized on the situation by drilling a double off the wall in right field that plated three runs. Cameron Tilly followed with the second two-base hit that scored Weaver.
In the third, four walks combined with a pair of hits put three more markers on the board and pushed the tally to 8-0. Joshua Perez homered for the Flames to cut the lead to 8-1.
The Hawks took advantage of a couple of errors in the fourth and another free pass to load the bases. Jacob Pajor knocked in two more runs with a double and pushed the score to 11-1. Pajor finished with four RBI and scored another run in the victory.
Lee pitching walked eight Shorter hitters and allowed eight hits. The defense was guilty of a couple of errors. On the other hand, three Hawk pitchers walked only two Flame batters and gave up six hits, struck out seven and the defense turned a pair of key double plays.
“We allowed too many two- out runs and that hurt us early in the game,” said Coach Mark Brew. “I thought Perez had a nice day at the plate and (Brycen) Jewell and (Cole) Matthaidess had solid outings late in the game. Overall, it wasn’t our best performance, but we are going to play for a GSC Championship tomorrow. This team has battled all year and I expect them to bounce back tomorrow. It will be an exciting day.”
Perez was the only Flame with two hits collecting a homer and double in three trips to the plate. Dylan Standifer, Jared Demkowicz, Matthew Batts and Jake Edwards doubled for Lee’s other hits.
Greyson Linderman started and was charged with the loss. He pitched 1.2 innings, allowing three hits, five earned runs, two walks and a strikeout. Landon Maynor entered for 2/3 of an inning and gave up a pair of hits, three earned runs, two free passes and fanned two. Kade Kozak followed for 1.1 innings, surrendering a hit, no earned runs but walked three. Jewell was next for 2.1 strong innings. He allowed a pair of hits, no earned runs, walked one and struck out one. Matthaidess was called on for an inning and was perfect while striking out one man.
Shorter used three pitchers. Caleb McGinnis started and pitched the first two innings, giving up three hits and an earned run. Kenny Jinks gave the Hawks four solid innings and scattered three hits, walking one and striking out three and was the winning pitcher. Andrew Asselin closed the Flames out in the seventh, allowing no hits, walking a batter and fanning two.