May 16, 2008

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Ryan Stovall knocked-in a season-record seven runs in leading the Lee (Tenn.) Flames to a convincing 15-6 victory over host Embry-Riddle (Fla.) and the South Atlantic Super Region championship on Thursday evening (May 15).

The highlight of Stovall's night was a grand-slam home run in the bottom of the third inning. Going into the Super Region, Stovall had only 36 RBI for the entire year. In the two games against Embry Riddle, he collected 11 runs batted in and hopefully helped the Flames gain the No. 1 seed in the upcoming NAIA World Series next week in Lewiston, Idaho.

"He had an amazing two games," said coach Mark Brew after his Flames improved to 59-8 on the year and continued to be the winningest program in college baseball. "Embry-Riddle was trying to pitch around some of our top hitters," added Brew. "Ryan has certainly been one of our better hitters of late." After Thursday's performance, the designated hitter is now hitting .406 for the year.

For the second straight night, the Flames jumped out to an early lead with a single score in the first inning. However, a seven-run third inning drove Eagle starter Chris Maloney from the mound and helped the Flames secure the important win.

The Eagles fought back with three runs in the fourth inning, but Lee destroyed any hopes of an Embry-Riddle comeback by putting two runs on the board in the fourth and increasing the lead to 15-3 with five more runs in the sixth inning.

While Stovall had a homer and two singles, the junior also scored twice and accounted for nine of Lee's 15 scores. Chris Warters was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate. He had a RBI and scored twice. Warters will take a .441 average into the World Series.

Josh Guy also collected three hits, including two doubles and two runs scored. Jeremy Hutslar and Chris Dubon added doubles and singles to Lee's 16-hit attack. Hutslar scored twice and Dubon posted a RBI. Edgar Mercado drove in two runs with a two-base hit, while Brian Bistagne, and Kevin Wyman had RBI hits and scored a run each.

Lee got six solid innings from starting and winning pitcher, Joel Matthews (9-2). Matthews hurled six-hit ball. He allowed three earned runs while striking out six and walking just one. Not only did Stovall shine at the plate, he also came in to pitch the final two innings for the Flames and did not allow a hit.

The Eagles banged out 10 hits. Kyle Albright blasted his second home run of the Super Region. Albright also had two other hits. Eric Ogden collected three hits and had a RBI, while Colin Gray, Billy Hootman and Aaron Tea doubled. Hootman drove home a pair of runs.

Both the Flames and Embry-Riddle will be in the 10-team NAIA World Series field that begins one week from Friday. The pairings for the event are scheduled to be released on Sunday.