LMU Out-Slugs Flames 16-12
HARROGATE, Tenn. – Host Lincoln Memorial University pounded out 16 hits against five Lee University pitchers and posted a 16-12 victory over the Flames on a dreary Wednesday afternoon. The Railsplitters gained revenge for an earlier loss to Lee and improved their record to 14-5 while the Flames dropped to 12-6.
Lee will return to non-conference play on Saturday and Sunday when it hosts Cedarville University. The three-game series was originally scheduled for Friday and Saturday but was moved to the later date because of possible rain in the area. Saturday’s doubleheader will begin at noon while Sunday’s action is slated for 1 p.m.at Larry Carpenter Stadium.
The Flames jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the second inning only to see the Railsplitters tie the contest with five runs in the bottom of the inning and then put six big runs on the board in the bottom of the third. Lee could never overcome the 11-5 margin.
However, they did cut the lead to 11-9 in the fifth inning but LMU was not to be denied on this afternoon. The Railsplitters plated four runs in the bottom of the seventh and then turned away a comeback by the Flames in the eighth and ninth innings.
Lee finished with 12 hits. Dylan Standifer, Brandon Daniels, JJ Williams and Luke Collier had two hits apiece. Williams had a double and four RBI. Standifer knocked in a run and scored four times. Daniels collected two RBI and crossed home plate twice while Collier homered and scored twice. Isaiah French was credited with two runs scored while Riley Black had a hit, walked twice and drove in a run.
Zach Lawson was the starting and losing Lee hurler. After 2.1 innings he was replaced by Colt McKibben (0.1). Tim Gooden followed for 1.1 frames and Frankie Volkers was asked to hurl the next 2.2 innings. Cole Matthaidess (0.1) followed and David White finished the day when he went to the mound for one inning. The Flames’ defense was guilty of three costly errors.
LMU ripped seven extra-base hits. Ryan Kurth had a pair of doubles, drove in three runs and scored twice to lead the way for the Railsplitters’ 16-hit attack. Kasten Harvey also enjoyed a big day with four hits, including a homerun, two RBI and three runs scored. The top of the order continued to do damage as Carson Boles had two hits, three runs batted in and a run scored. Collin Coda capped off the big day with a pair of two-baggers, three RBI and three times crossing the plate.
LMU also used five pitchers. Carter White (1-1) was the third hurler to make an appearance on the mound and gained credit for the win. In 2.2 innings, he allowed four hits and four earned runs. However, it was Colin Murphy who was the most effective Railsplitter to take the mound. He worked 3.1 frames and allowed only one hit and an earned run.
Coach Mark Brew’s thoughts:
“We had a hard time getting off the field with two outs and LMU punished us with three big innings. Our defense got loose in a couple of those innings also and we provided way too many freebies. We were able to score some runs, but the big innings proved too much to overcome.
“We will regroup and get ready for our bye weekend with Cedarville coming to town. They’ll be another great challenge and we are excited to host all our player’s families as a part of parent’s weekend.”
