The Lee fans waited and waited for the big hit that had ignited the Flames in five other wins during the 2015 NCCAA World Series. The hit never came and neither did the big inning in the 6-2 loss to Fresno Pacific in Saturday afternoon's championship at Prasco Park.
It marked the second straight year that the Sunbirds defeated the Flames in the NCCAA final. Lee wraps up the 2015 season with a 39-19-1 record. In its final 19 games, the Flames posted an impressive 15-4 record. Fresno Pacific, another university headed for full compliance in the NCAA Division II ranks next year, closed out the season at 39-18-1.
Unlike in the other five Series wins earlier in the long week, the Flames could never get their engine running.
Siosi Poti, the only Flame named to the all-tournament team, singled to open the game but was quickly erased when Chris Adams drilled a line drive at the Fresno third baseman. He made a fine play and turned right around to double off Poti at first.
The Sunbirds jumped out to the early lead. In the second inning Preston Scott doubled off the center-field wall and scored on a single by Michael Hostetler. The margin grew to 3-0 in the third when Steven Lozier ripped a two-run homer over the left-field fence.
Lee cut the margin to 3-1 in the fourth inning on a solo homer by Ben Holland. The Flames threatened to do even more damage in the same frame and had two men on base when Andres Nelo's sinking line drive was snared by Sunbird left-fielder Scott.
The California club salted a victory away in the fifth when they sent seven men to the plate and scored three more runs, building the margin to 6-1. The big blow of the inning came on a double by Hostetler and a RBI single by Michael Tittle. Lee pitching shut down Fresno for the remaining three innings but the damage had already been done.
The Flames scored their only other run in the sixth. Luke Toms singled as did Nate Wierzgac. Toms tallied on a one-base hit by Josh Tate. All totaled Lee had 11 hits just like the Sunbirds but they never could put more than two hits together in the same inning. Nelo finished with three hits. Wierzgac, Toms and Tate banged out two singles.
Dustin Lawson was one of five pitchers for the Flames. He started and gave up five hits and three earned runs. Jacob Potts also allowed five hits and three earned runs. Grayson Bailey and Ridge Ackerman finally slowed the Sunbird hitting attack.
Josh Medeles was the starting and winning pitcher for Fresno. In 6 1/3 innings he scattered 10 hits and gave up two earned runs. Medeles was bailed out of a jam in the seventh inning by reliever Drew Merlo. The lefty worked 2 2/3 innings, giving up a single hit and striking out three Flames.
I thought we played well today," said coach Mark Brew. "We had some opportunities (10 runner left on base), but my hats off to Fresno as they made several big plays to squelch any rally that we got going.
"Overall I'm really proud of this group. To think we were 20-15 at one time and to finish the way we did is a credit to each player. This senior class really pulled this team together and battled the last third of the year. It's hard to have perspective after an emotional game like today, but our guys have accomplished a lot for our program and helped us navigate to the NCAA Division II process. It's a great group of guys and I am excited to see what they can accomplish in the future."