05-26-09 (box score)

Cunniff and Rose combine on three-hitter as Lee stops Berry 5-3

Last year’s runner-up keeps hopes alive by defeating fellow SSAC member

LEWISTON, Idaho – Pitchers Brandon Cunniff and Josh Rose combined on a three-hitter to help Lee University (Tenn.) remain alive with a 5-3 win over fellow Southern States Athletic Conference member Berry College (Ga.) in loser-out play on Tuesday at the 53^rd annual Avista NAIA World Series at Harris Field. 

Cunniff, a junior right-hander, went the first 5.1 innings and allowed two hits and two runs with one walk and one strikeout to improve to 4-1 on the season. Rose, a senior right-hander, picked up his first save of the season by allowing a hit, a run, and a walk in the final 3.2 innings. He also struck out four. 

Berry (46-16) not only had trouble getting things going offensively, but also committed three errors on the day, which helped Lee to a couple of big innings, which made the difference in the tight ballgame. 

Berry’s Andrew Starr hit a solo home run, his seventh homer of the year, for the only hit of the game through the first three innings. 

Lee (53-13) came to life in the fourth when Julian Alvarez was hit by a pitch and Junior Rodriguez clubbed a two-run home run to left-center field for the Flames’ first hit of the game. It was Rodriguez’s 11^th home run of the season and second of the tournament. 

Lee took a 3-1 lead in the fifth when Trey Burstrom singled and scored on a double by Brian Bistagne, but Berry cut it to 3-2 in the bottom of the inning when Jacob Lamar walked, stole second, went to third on a balk, and scored on a ground out by Blake Reynolds. 

The score remained tight until two Berry errors in the eighth allowed Lee two runs for a 5-2 lead. Rodriguez started the rally with a single and Elvis Sosa followed with a bunt that Berry pitcher Matthew McCalley fielded while falling down. He tried to throw to first sitting down, but his throw was wide and went to the fence on the right-field foul line, which allowed Rodriguez to score. Chris Dubon’s RBI single brought in the second run. 

Berry picked up a run in the bottom of the inning when Harman Watkins doubled, went to third on a balk, and scored on a ground out by Jarrett Northcutt. 

Berry starters Trent Hillis (6-1) went 5.2 innings and gave u three hits and three runs to take the loss.

Rodriguez finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored for Lee, while Burstrom added two hits. 

Lee continues play on Wednesday against Lubbock Christian at a time to be determined later Tuesday.