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Christian Brothers University Athletics

Eric Opperman/CBU Sports Information

Baseball Eric Opperman

Flames Edge Bucs 3-2, 2-1

Josh Hopkins drove in both runs in game one and scored in game two, but the Bucs were swept 3-2 and 2-1 at Lee Saturday.
Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CLEVELAND, Tenn.-Host Lee swept a pair of one-run games from the Christian Brothers University Bucs Saturday afternoon, winning the opener 3-2 and claiming a 2-1 win in the nightcap.

In the first game, Lee (30-17, 15-12 GSC) took an early lead when Siosi Poti hit a leadoff homer in the bottom of the first, and the Flames doubled their lead in the bottom of the third with a run on three hits and a walk.

The Bucs (11-34, 3-26) clawed back into the game in the top of the sixth. Justin Neal (Southaven, Miss./Southaven HS) reached on a two-out infield single, and Josh Hopkins (Olive Branch, Miss./Southern Baptist Educational Center) followed with a two-run homer to left to tie the game.

The Flames regained the lead for good in the bottom of the inning. They loaded the bases with a single, a double and a hit batter, and a four-pitch walk with the bases loaded pushed across what proved to be the winning run.

The Bucs failed to capitalize on two-out singles in the seventh and eighth innings. They had one further rally in the ninth. Stephen Joe (Madison, Miss./Ridgeland HS) and Casey Goodwin (Memphis, Tenn./Christian Brothers HS) worked back-to-back walks, but a strikeout, a flyout and a groundout ended the game.

Neal went 3-for-4 with a double, while Riley Kilgore (Cordova, Tenn./Christian Brothers HS) collected two hits. Hopkins drove in two.

The Flames again took an early lead in game two, converting an infield single, a sacrifice bunt, a stolen base and another infield single into a first-inning run.

The Bucs drew even in the top of the fifth. Hopkins led off with a single and advanced to second on a throwing error on a Joe bunt attempt. A balk moved them to second and third with none out, and Charles Kelly (Bartlett, Tenn./Bartlett HS) scored Hopkins with a groundout. Joe advanced to third, but a strikeout and a flyout ended the threat.

The Flames took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth. Zacary Hawkins hit a leadoff double and moved to third on a throwing error, which allowed him to come home on a sacrifice fly.

The Bucs threatened again in the seventh inning, when Joe hit a two-out double to left, but a strikeout ended the game.

The Bucs and Flames meet again Sunday at 1 p.m. for the final game of the regular season. CBU returns to action Friday in the GSC Tournament in Birmingham, Ala.
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