Friday, April 20, 2007

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Apr. 20, 2007) - Belmont scored four runs in the first two innings, and starter Charles Lee turned in a dominating performance, at one point retiring 14 consecutive batters, as the Bucs dropped fell in an Atlantic Sun Conference series opener 5-3 Friday afternoon at Greer Stadium, extending their losing streak to a season-long five games.

The Bucs (24-17, 10-6 A-Sun) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when junior Anthony Russell (Waldorf, Md.) drove in senior C.J. Lee (Bristol, Va.) on a single into left  field.  Lee led off the game with a double into the left center field gap.

Junior starter Brandon Langston (Ringgold, Ga.) struggled in the early going, allowing four runs on seven hits through the first two innings, but settled into a groove afterwards, allowing just three hits over the next five innings, and retiring nine consecutive hitters from the third through the sixth innings.

Trailing 4-1 entering the third, freshman Tanner Moore (Chattanooga, Tenn.) cut the lead in half with his third home run of the season, a line shot over the right field fence.

The Bruins (23-15, 10-6 A-Sun) pushed its advantage back to three runs in the seventh on Wilson Tucker's seventh home run of the year, a towering solo shot to left field.

The Bucs plated a run in the ninth on sophomore Troy Mendez's (Roswell, Ga.) single through the right side, scoring senior Justin Aughey (Davie, Fla.), and putting the game-tying run aboard.  Closer Chris Manning then came on and recorded the final two outs, preserving the victory and notching his eighth save of the season.

Lee improves to 6-1 on the season, striking out nine batters and allowing just five hits in 8 1/3 innings pitched.  Langston drops his second consecutive decision and falls to 6-4.

The two teams continue the series with a change of venue Saturday afternoon, moving to Shelby Park for a 2 p.m. ET first pitch.