Lee (39-7-1) entered the bottom of the ninth needing four runs to force extra innings. Brady Renner led off with a walk to put the Flames in comeback mode, but two batters later the Flames were down to their last out.
A Corey Davis walk and a wild pitch later set up Mike Moore with two runners in scoring position. Moore hit an infield chopper and reached on an errant throw that allowed Renner to score and Davis to advance to third.
Trevor Burgess came in to pinch hit and delivered a ground ball that the Bryan shortstop could not handle. Roberto Duran would then walk to load the bases with two out and two runs already in.
Up stepped Edmanuel Rivera, who had struck out with bases loaded in a pinch-hit appearance the previous inning. This time, Rivera roped a single into left field to set up the deciding play at the plate. Pinch runner Cameron Brewster scored easily from third and Fowlkes rounded third hard as all eyes turned toward home. Kevin Layne’s throw was on target and gave Boyd time to set up a roadblock and hold on to the ball for the final out.
Bryan jumped on Lee starter Dustin Lawson (2-1) in the second inning with five runs on three hits. The Lions weren’t done when Lawson left the mound as they scored two more off reliever Mike Fasolo to take a 7-1 lead.
Kyle Briner stopped the bleeding and held the Bryan offense in check for most of the final 7 1/3 innings. The freshman right-hander struck out seven batters and allowed just three hits, but two of those hits were solo home runs by Billy Veal.
Corey Davis and Roberto Duran collected two doubles a piece and were the only Flames with multiple hits. Moore ripped a three-run home run in the third inning.
The Flames will have very little time to dwell on the loss with rival Tennessee Wesleyan College coming to Olympic Field Wednesday evening. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
