BRISTOL, Tenn. - The Lee softball team erupted for five runs in the third inning and Angie Hughes tossed seven strong innings to lead the Lady Flames to a 7-2 victory over King University in game two of Tuesday's non-conference doubleheader.

After being shutout in game one the Lady Flames got things going in the third inning when senior Dominique Hannah tripled home Lexie Dean and Amanda Lynn. Emily Dagnan followed with an RBI single and Kaylie Drew kept the rally alive with a run-scoring single of her own. Rachel Polacek completed the big inning with a two-run double to left center.

Hughes (4-1) made sure the lead stuck. The hard-throwing junior racked up 11 strikeouts and was charged with just two runs on five hits. The Lee ace now has a nifty 0.55 ERA and has struck out 38 batters in 25 2/3 innings of work.

The Lady Flames would tack on two more runs in the top of the fourth. Dean scored on a King throwing error before NiaRaye Ceasar completed the scoring with a run scoring single.

Hollyn Franklin (0-1) was charged with the loss for the Tornadoes after giving up seven runs (four earned) in four innings of work. Franklin gave up 11 hits and walked two.

Amanda Wright registered a double and a single to pace the King offense. Amber Palmer singled to right center to break up the Lee shutout in the seventh inning.

The Lady Flames will turn right around and host Tennessee Wesleyan on Wednesday. The first pitch of the twin bill is set for 2 p.m. at Butler Field.

LU 0, KU 3 (Game One)
The chilly weather conditions appeared to cool off the red-hot bats of the Lee University Lady Flames as they fell, 3-0 to King University in game one.

The Tornados got a complete game shutout from Morgan Lowe (1-0) to help lead them to the victory in their 2015 opener. Lowe worked seven innings striking out four while giving up just four hits. She silenced a Lee offense that had scored 74 runs in its first six games.

Freshman Leigh Beatenbough (2-1) was the tough luck loser in the circle for the Lady Flames. Beatenbough went six innings and gave up just three runs on four hits. She struck out nine and surrendered just two free passes.

Chrissy Melcher opened things up in the bottom of the first for the home team as she belted a solo homer to left center. Kelsie Craighead followed with an RBI triple in the second frame and then came home to score on a Beatenbough wild pitch.

Sophomore Qiley Lewis tallied Lee's only extra base hit of the contest when she doubled in the seventh inning. NiaRaye Ceasar, Kaylie Drew and Rachel Polacek each singled to round out the Lady Flames' offense.