Game one provided little offense, as both starting pitchers gave strong performances. Lee starter Jay Bolen gave up one run on four hits, pitching 5 2/3 innings to earn the win.
The lone Tiger run came off of a solo home run from rightfielder Roderick Barcelo in the fourth inning. From there, Bolen (4-0), and Joe Fabre, who pitched the final inning and a third, were able to shut down Iowa Wesleyan to preserve the one-run win.
Lee scored both of its runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Michael Brown drew a bases loaded walk, followed by a sacrifice fly from Travis Anderson. Both runs were credited to Tigers’ starter, Jacob Sanchez. Sanchez gave up just three hits in 4 1/3 innings of work, walking five and striking out one.
Rickey Cristou and Colton Hopwood worked the remaining inning and two thirds, holding the Flames scoreless. The Tigers managed just four hits in the contest and committed one error.
The second contest was an entirely different story. After holding Iowa Wesleyan to a scoreless first inning, the Flames exploded for nine runs in the first frame, five in the third inning, and three in the fourth, for a 17-2 victory.
Iowa Wesleyan tallied its only two runs in the second inning, scoring on a pair of doubles by Drew Koeppel and Marco Prieto, and capitalizing on an error.
James Rechenbach started for Lee in the second contest, throwing four strong innings to earn his fourth win against no losses. The sophomore left-hander gave up one earned run on two hits, without surrendering a walk or registering any strikeouts. Matt Passauer worked a hitless fifth inning to close the contest for the Flames.
All totaled, Lee knocked out 17 hits in the game, 11 of those coming off Tigers’ starter, Derek Zander (0-1). Marrero and Seth Walker both doubled as part of a three-hit performance. Walker earned four RBI and scored three times, with Marrero knocking in three runs and crossing the plate twice.
Defense was a weakness for both sides in the contest. Iowa Wesleyan committed six errors, compared to three miscues by the Flames.
The Flames hit the road this week, traveling to Young Harris College (Ga.), for a single game Monday. They then journey to Trevecca Nazarene University for a Tuesday doubleheader. The Flames return home to open Southern States Athletic Conference play next weekend, hosting the Emmanuel College Lions for a three-game set.
