Visiting Emmanuel University stunned host Lee University with eight runs in the first two innings of game one and went on to claim a 19-7 victory as both teams opened the regular season at Larry Carpenter Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Flames bounced back in the second game of the twinbill and claimed a 9-3 win.
The two teams will be hoping for warmer weather on Sunday when they return for a single nine-inning contest beginning at 2 p.m. Hunter Maddox was the winning pitcher in game one for the Lions while Jax Howard picked up the victory in game two for the Flames.
Game 2 – Lee 9, Emmanuel 3
The Flames made the best of nine hits in the second affair.
Newcomer Tucker Platt had two hits including a double and drove in four big runs in pacing the victory. Isaiah French followed with a pair of safe knocks and scored twice. Cooper Doughman, a transfer from Auburn University Montgomery and a member of the All-GSC team, scored three runs. He doubled and drove in a pair of runs while walking once.
Freshman Ryan Valdes turned in a solid performance. He drove in two runs with a ringing double while Malachi Cloud scored twice and Luke Collier walked, collected a hit and scored once. Cooper Casteel, a transfer from Cleveland State, got the start for the Flames and worked the first three innings. He allowed three hits, one earned run and struck out six Emmanuel hitters while walking only two. Howard came on for an inning and recorded the win, but it was Ty Cobb who was impressive for four innings. He allowed four hits and no earned runs, striking out one and allowing no walks.
The Lions used five pitchers in the loss and Hunter Pirkle pitched 4.2 innings and was charged with the defeat. Landon Mokris had two hits including a homer for Emmanuel while Jesus Cruz contributed two hits in the loss.
Game 1 – Emmanuel 19, Lee 7
It was all Emmanuel in the opener as they scored eight runs in the first three innings then tacked on nine more runs in the six inning and never looked back in coasting to the win. The Lions had 18 hits and 13 went for extra bases.
Ryan Muniz had five hits and five RBI in six plate appearances. He doubled, tripled and had two homeruns. Hayden Beall was 4-of-4 and scored four runs. He homered and was hit by a pitch twice.
The Flames tried to fight back. JJ Williams was 4-of-4. He had two homeruns and scored four times. Luke Collier also had four hits. He tripled, singled twice and scored two runs. The twosome collected eight of Lee’s 13 hits in the loss.
Will Baker was the starting and losing Lee hurler. In 2.2 innings, he allowed five hits, six earned runs, fanned three and walked one. Zach Lawson, Seth Parker, Eric Boggess an Braylon Hall also made mound appearances. In two innings, Hall allowed three hits, no earned runs, no walks and struck out one.
Ethan Pooler started and pitched 4.1 innings for Emmanuel. Hunter Maddox followed for 3.2 innings and got credit for the victory. JJ Neal worked the final inning for the Lions.