May 18, 2007

CLEVELAND, Tenn. - With an 18-0 pounding of St. Thomas University, the Lee University baseball team left no doubt in anyone's mind that they deserved the South Atlantic Super Region title for the first time in program history. The Flames will advance to the NAIA World Series for the second time in three years, and will take a 50-13 record with them.

Backed by an impressive pitching performance from Nick Utley, Lee took a quick 4-0 lead in the first inning. Andrew Shaver led off the bottom of the opening frame with a tape measure home run to just to the right of the centerfield wall. It was his eighth of the year. Three more runs would follow, and the Flames would add single runs in the second, third, and fourth.

The lead remained 7-0 through six innings and Utley would pitch seven innings of two hit ball before giving way to Daniel Howard. Lee's senior starter fanned six and walked three to improve to 4-1. Howard would finished off with two frames, allowing three hits.

"Nick was a gut decision by the coaching staff," explained Lee coach Mark Brew. "What a performance he turned in, allowing only two hits. He has pitched well against some great times the year, turning in solid performances against Tennessee Wesleyan and Cumberland earlier in the year."

The Maroon and White exploded in the seventh and eighth innings off a tired Bobcat bullpen. St. Thomas used five pitchers in the contest as starter Eddie Machin (9-3) was one of three who worked in the first inning alone. Aurelio Cicard saw the most action, hurling six solid innings.

In the seventh, Lee scored five runs, with four coming on a grand slam by Aaron Simmons. It was Simmons sixth home run of the year, giving the Flames slick-fielding first sacker six RBI in the game. He has seven extra base hits and a team-leading 18 RBI in postseason play, boosting his season-record total to 72.

In the ninth, six more runs crossed the plate as Lee had five hits in the inning. Pinch hitter Jared Barnes, batting for the second time in the frame, singled home the final two runs for Lee.

All told, Lee totaled 17 hits and nine walks against St. Thomas. Edgar Mercado and Elvis Sosa each had three hits, while Michael Valadez had three RBI and a pair of safeties. Shaver and Lance Zawadzki joined him with two hits in the game, with the latter scoring a game-high four runs.

"What a performance by our team. To be able to score 36 runs in two of the games in the region on the third seeded team in the nation is unbelievable. I am so happy for our 10 seniors. They have carried this team all year and they continued to do it today," praised Brew.

St. Thomas drops to 46-14-1, while the Flames clinched their second 50 win season in Lee history. Both teams will move on to play in Lewiston in a field of the 10 top teams in the NAIA.

Lee's skipper concluded, "What a humbling experience to be able to go to Lewiston in my first year as a head coach. It is something you dream about as a coach and as a player. We had a great experience in 2005, but this time, we want to make some noise!"