ROME, Ga. – The Shorter Hawks fell 7-4 in the series opener with the Lee University Flames on Friday afternoon at the Robert H. Ledbetter Baseball Complex.
 
The Hawks are now 17-13 on the season and 9-9 in Gulf South Conference (GSC) play. The Flames improve to 15-17 on the season and 8-10 in GSC play.
 
Shorter struck first in the home half of the third today. Isaac Harkins reached first on an error by the Lee third baseman and then advanced to second, and Matt Christian and Norman Leon scored.
 
The score remained 2-0 Shorter until the top of the sixth when Lee tied the game courtesy of a two-run home run.
 
The Hawks took the lead again in the bottom of the seventh after plating two runs. Cory Mason hit a solo home run to plate the first run of the inning. Shortly after this, Leon singled to center, and this scored Andres Ferreiro.
 
The Flames then plated the final five runs of the day in the top of the eighth to take the lead and ultimately win the game.
 
Leon went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Mason went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Christian went 1-for-3 with a run scored.
 
Jonathan Pintaro (L, 6-3) started for the Hawks today. He tossed 7.1 innings, striking out 10 and giving up five runs on six hits and two walks.
 
Up Next
 
The Hawks return to action on Saturday for a doubleheader with the Flames to conclude the series. First pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m. at the Ledbetter Baseball Complex.