The University of West Georgia scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh inning and came from behind to defeat the Lee Flames 4-3 in Gulf South Conference baseball action
on Friday afternoon at Cole Field
The see-saw battle saw the Wolves move on top 2-0 in the bottom of the second inning. The Flames cut the margin to 2-1 in the fourth inning when Luke Toms singled to drive home Siosi Poti who had stroked a one-bas hit and stole second.
The Flames scored two more runs with two outs in the top of the sixth and took a 3-2 lead.
Toms picked up his second hit of the day and Ben Holland followed with a one-base knock. Andres Nelo delivered the Flames' third straight hit to load the bases. Cameron Scott picked up a RBI when he was hit by a pitch and Josh Tate delivered the fourth hit of the inning, a single which scored Toms with the go ahead run.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Lee's starting pitcher Trent Hill ran into problems. Troy Brown led off the inning with a single and the next hitter walked. Coach Mark Brew went to the mound and called on Ridge Ackerman to replace his left-hander. Ackerman quickly retired the first two hitters but a wild pitch and a throwing error followed, allowing West Georgia to tie the game at 3. A single by Sumner McWhorter drove what turned out to be the winning run across the plate.
"We gave away too many freebies (11)," remarked Brew after the loss. "Three of their four runs were directly related to a walk or a hit by a pitch. It is possibly the worst combo of poor defense and free bases on the mound that we have had all year. In conference games on the road, it is simply too much to overcome."
The Flames out-hit the Wolves, 8-7. Holland followed Toms' act with two hits of his own. Poti, Nelo, Tate and Travis Perkola also contributed to Lee's eight singles. Toms, Scott and Tate were credit with runs batted in, while Poti, Toms and Holland scored runs for the Flames. McWhorter and Taylor Bentley collected two hits apiece for the Wolves.
"Our offense had some good swings today and hopefully that is the start to more consistency at the plate," added Brew. "I expect us to come out and be ready to compete
on Saturday."
In six complete innings, Hill allowed six hits, three earned runs, struck out seven, walked two and hit a batter. Ackerman allowed two hits. Matthew Norton hurled 5 2/3 innings for West Georgia. He gave up eight hits and three earned runs. Colton Duttweier was called on to work the next 2 1/3 innings and gave up one hit and picked up the pitching win, while Tyler Gunnin closed the deal in the ninth inning and was credited with the save after retiring three straight Lee hitters.
The Flames dropped to 11-2-1 on the year and 3-2-1 in conference play. They will return to action, facing West Georgia again
on Saturday in a doubleheader scheduled to get underway at
12 noon.