Unloading 13 hits, five going for extra bases, and getting solid relief pitching, the Lee baseball team (14-10) completed a sweep of Carson-Newman University on a chilly Tuesday afternoon by a dominating 14-5 final margin.
The top of the Lee batting order collected 10 hits and scored 12 of the 14 runs. Dylan Standifer led the hit parade with three hits and three runs scored. However, it was JJ Williams who was the man of the hour. Williams came on as a pinch-hitter and ripped a pair of home runs and drove in five runs in two plate appearances.
Luke Hughes had two hits and scored twice.
Cam Suto homered and tallied two times. Brandon Daniels knocked in a pair of runs before leaving the game while Josiah Miller doubled, collected two RBI and rounded the bases for three scores. Not to be outdone, Riley Black doubled, and Isaac Quinones also had a two-base hit and got in the RBI department with two.
Seth Coffelt had a rocky start for the Flames and surrendered four of the Eagles five runs. Tim Gooden began eight innings of solid mound work by four different Lee pitchers. In three innings, Gooden (2-2) did not allow a hit. He fanned three and walked one in picking up the pitching win. Keegan Gagliardo came next for a pair of innings and allowed a run. Hunter Lane was at his best for the next two frames and joined Gagliardo with two strikeouts while Brycen Jewell closed the deal in the ninth.
Carson-Newman used seven pitchers to try to slow down the Lee hitting attack. Grif Hughes was the starting and losing pitcher. Mitchell Balint had a homer and single for the Eagles. Alden Gibson had two hits and a pair of RBI as Carson-Newman managed only six hits.
“We are starting to play more consistently throughout the game and that’s allowed us to create some momentum,” pointed out Coach Mark Brew after his team scored its fourth straight victory. “Our bullpen really stepped up allowing only one run over the last seven innings. Our line-up was given a big lift from JJ Williams off the bench.
“We have a really challenging weekend at West Alabama on Saturday and Sunday. We need to continue with some consistent play in all three phases to be able to take that series.” Saturday’s first pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 4 p.m.