ROME, Ga. - Despite forcing extra innings, the Shorter Hawks dropped the final game of the series to Gulf South Conference foe Lee University, 8-6, in 10 innings.

"We got down early and fought back," head coach Wes Timmons said. "It did not end the way we would have liked, but the effort was definitely there."

Lee scored in the top of the opening inning as Tyler Payne doubled, stole third, and scored on a wild pitch. The Flames increased their lead to 4-0 in the third via two home runs – a solo shot by Ben Holland and two-run homer by Chris Adams.

Both teams had one runner cross home plate in the fifth inning. For the Hawks, Steven Maier walked and stole second, before advancing to third on Dustin Lawson's groundout. Blaze Vazquez doubled down the left field line, batting in Maier and pulling Shorter within four runs, 5-1.

Lee scored again in the sixth, taking a 6-1 advantage. The Hawks added their second run in the eighth. Greg Gladden singled and advanced to third on Jerry Liang's two-base hit. Raul Cortes' sacrifice fly scored Gladden.

Heading into the bottom of the ninth, Shorter trailed 6-2. The Hawks put together a four run inning to force extras. Sean Acevedo led off the inning with a single, followed by a walk by Maier. Lawson reached on an error by the Flames shortstop, loading the bases with no outs.  Shorter cut Lee's lead to 6-3 as Acevedo scored when Vazquez reached on a fielder's choice. Patrick Sanderson's single scored Maier, pulling the Hawks within two runs. Liang singled, once again loading the bases, this time for Cortes. Cortes' two-rbi single to center field tied the game at six, sending the contest into extra innings.

"The guys did a heck of a job competing that last inning," added Timmons. We had a couple of big hits."

In the top of the 10th, Lee's Ben Holland hit a two-rbi home run, which proved to be the game winning hit. Despite having runners on second and third with two outs during its half of the inning, Shorter could not manage any runs, and fell 8-6.

The Hawks are now 10-16 (4-11 Gulf South Conference), while the Flames improve to 15-12 (7-8 GSC).

Shorter returns to the field Wednesday evening against Lincoln-Memorial University. The non-conference matchup will take place at State Mutual Stadium, the home of the Rome Braves. First pitch is set for 6 PM EST.