May 17, 2007

CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The visiting St. Thomas University baseball team used two big innings to defeat Lee University in the second game of the Atlantic South Super Regional, 9-4. The decisive game of the series will be played tomorrow at 3 p.m. at Olympic Field.

The Flames scored a single run in each of the first two innings, as Bobcat starter Hector Nelo experienced control problems and walked the first batter he saw in both frames. In the first, Lance Zawadzki ripped a double to score Andrew Shaver, while Nick Utley singled home Hunter Hydas.

It would appear the Maroon and White had the advantage as the score remained 2-0 through four innings. However, Jason Houser and Hamzeld Díaz put an end to Lee starter Cody Campbell's shutout in the fifth. Houser blasted a 420-foot home run to dead centerfield to score two, while only three batters later, Díaz did the same. He hit a shot to left that scored Juan Santana, who had doubled after Houser's blow.

The scored remained 4-2 until the top of the eighth inning, when Daniel DiFabio hit his first home run of the year to push the score to 5-2. Lee answered back with a single run in the bottom of the inning on a bases loaded walk, but Bobcat closer Tim Davis came on with two outs and the bases loaded in the ninth inning and induced a flyout after giving up a run.

St. Thomas would burst the floodgates with four runs in the top of the ninth, and the Flames could only answer with a home run from Lance Zawadzki in the bottom of the frame. The solo roundtripper traveled an estimated 425 feet over the right centerfield scoreboard.

The Miami Gardens club scored their nine runs on 10 hits as neither club committed an error. DiFabio was the hitting leader with a triple, homer, and four RBI, while Santana and Díaz joined him with two hits. St. Thomas improves to 46-13-1.

Lee collected only four hits against Bobcat pitching. Nelo (8-3) earned the win with five plus innings, walking five and giving up three hits and two earned runs. He struck out five. Osmar Chaviano followed with 2 2/3 hitless frames, striking out two, walking two, and giving up one run. Lee went without a hit from two outs in the second inning until two outs in the ninth. Davis earned his seventh save in 1 1/3 innings of work with two walks and a K.

Zawadzki was the only Flame with two hits, while Utley joined him two RBI. Campbell was charged with the loss, dropping him to 10-2. He went over eight innings, giving up eight hits and seven runs. He issued three free passes, hit a batter, and whiffed six. Craig Trent pitched the ninth, giving up two runs on two hits. He struck out the side as the Flames dropped to 49-13.