Behind two dominating pitching performances the Lee softball team completed a doubleheader sweep of Truett-McConnell College Friday afternoon at Butler Field.
The Lady Flames surrendered just five hits in posting back to back shutout victories (4-0, 8-0) over the Bears.
Lee 8, TMC 0
Jennifer Ringle stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning for the first time in two weeks after battling through a leg injury. The senior didn't miss a beat, launching a two-run homer over the left field wall to complete the 8-0 victory over Truett-McConnell in the nightcap of Friday's twin bill.
The fourth-ranked Lee squad now moves to 30-5 on the year and 15-2 in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC). The loss drops the Bears to 5-20 overall and 3-12 in conference play.
Caroline MacAusland (6-2) notched the victory for the Lady Flames. The freshman gave up just one hit in four scoreless innings of work. She struck out four and did not surrender a free pass. Katie Deems came on in the fifth and preserved the clean slate for Lee.
Eight different players hit safely in a balanced offensive performance for the Lady Flames. Lexie Dean led the way going 2-for-3 with a RBI. Jenevieve Cena recorded the lone extra base hit in the contest when she ripped a run-scoring double in the fifth inning just prior to Ringle's walk off.
Megan Rogers started for the Bears and was tagged with the loss. Rogers worked four-plus innings giving up seven runs (six earned) and eight hits. Rachel Crump came on in relief and surrendered the long ball to Ringle.
The Lady Flames will now gear up for a big SSAC showdown with 14th-ranked Brenau University tomorrow afternoon at Butler Field. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
Lee 4, TMC 0
Freshman Angie Hughes (14-1) recorded a career-high 15 strikeouts in a dominating pitching performance to give the Lady Flames the 4-0 game one victory. Hughes gave up just one hit over six innings of work to notch her team-leading 14th win of the season.
The Lee offensive provided all the support Hughes would require in the bottom of the first inning. After two quick outs, Hannah singled, Ana Coscorrosa followed with a walk and Charlie Wooden delivered a RBI single to give the Lady Flames the 1-0 advantage.
Wooden finished 1-for-2 and drove in a pair of runs. Hannah added a pair of singles while Dean went 1-for-2 with a RBI.
Lee would strike for three insurance runs in third inning to help seal the victory.
Harlee Grogan worked six innings for the Bears. Grogan gave up four runs (three earned) on eight hits. She struck out four batters and yielded three walks.
MacAusland came on to work the seventh inning for the Lady Flames. The freshman gave up a couple of hits but worked out of trouble to preserve the shutout.
