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TROUTVILLE, Va. – The Lee softball team kicked off the NCCAA World Series with a commanding 9-3 victory over Southern Wesleyan University on a sun-splashed Wednesday afternoon at the Botetourt Sports Complex.

Kaylie Drew got things going for the Lady Flames as she launched her 18^th home run of the season over the center field wall to tie things up at 2-2 in the bottom of the first inning after the Warriors had grabbed the brief advantage. "Kaylie hit a big home run for us to get us back to level," said head coach Emily Russell.

Drew is now tied with former Lee All-American Johanna Gomez for the single-season Lee home run record.

Drew wasn't the only one who brought her hitting shoes to the complex. Amanda Lynn roped two singles, scored twice and wreaked havoc on the bases with two steals.  Lexie Dean added three hits and two runs scored and Dominique Hannah had three singles, three RBI and scored twice.

All together Lee pounded out 11 hits in the contest to back a solid pitching performance from junior Angie Hughes. Qiley Lewis and Rachel Polacek added singles and Emily Dagnan drove in a run on with a suicide squeeze bunt.

"They had some lucky placements on hits in the first inning where they sawd off but we climbed right back," said Russell. Dominique had a big day at the plate and we ran the bases well."

Hughes made the lead stick as she worked four scoreless innings of relief for her 17^th win of the season. Hughes did not allow a hit and walked just one batter while striking out three.

Freshman Leigh Beatebough started and tossed the first three innings for the Lady Flames. She allowed five hits and three runs while striking out four. "Leigh and Angie both got some work and pitched well today," concluded Russell.

Hunter Hoskins pitched the first 4.1 innings in the circle for the Warriors. She allowed eight hits and seven runs, six earned. Allison Parker came on for the final 1.2 frames and gave up three hits and a pair of runs.

Southern Wesleyan jumped on the board early with a two-run single by Ashleigh Wilbur. Allison Barbee followed with a solo homer in the third inning to cut the deficit to one before the Lady Flames bats and the arm of Hughes put the contest out of reach.

The Lady Flames will get the rest of the day off as they advance to play tomorrow at 2 p.m. to face the No. 2 seed Simpson University.