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TROUTVILLE, Va. – Having the daunting task of playing three straight games on Thursday the Lee softball team rose to the challenge topping Mississippi College in the NCCAA Softball World Series, 3-2 in an elimination game to advance on to day three of the tournament from the Botetourt Sports Complex.

The Lady Flames rebounded after a loss to Simpson University earlier in the day to eliminate the No. 1 seeded Judson University Eagles with a 4-0 victory before claiming their sixth win in as many tries this season against Gulf South Conference foe Mississippi College .

The Lady Flames advance to face Oklahoma Christian University in the Loser's Bracket Championship tomorrow at noon. If Lee wins they will get another shot at Simpson University. The Lady Flames would have to beat the Redhawks twice to claim the program's first ever national title.

LU 3, MC 2
Backed by a complete game peformance from junior Angie Hughes (18-8) the Lady Flames edged past rival Mississippi College to complete a grueling triple header on Thursday. Hughes allowed just four hits and two runs (one earned). She walked two and struck out one.

The Lady Flames did all of their damage at the plate in the second inning off Choctaw starter Lacie Patterson. Amanda Lynn doubled home Emily Dagnan to put Lee ahead 1-0. Lexie Dean followed with a two-run single scoring Lynn and Lewis to make it 3-0 Lady Flames.

After the Dean single Choctaw coach Brooke O'Hair made the move to her ace Carlie Sargent. Sargent worked the final 4.1 innings and allowed just one hit and one walk.

Mississippi College edged back into the game in the fourth inning. Karla Beth Hux drew a leadoff walk before Madison Oliver roped an RBI double to right center. Brooke Smitherman followed with a ground ball to Amanda Lynn at shortstop. It appeared the runner interfeared with Lynn fielding the ball but no call was made allowing Oliver to score on the error to pull the Choctaws within one.

Sargent and Hughes would duel it out the rest of the way. Mississippi College looked poised to tie things up in the bottom of the fifth as speedy leadoff hitter Shay Mikens singled to start the frame and stole second to tie the school's career stolen base record with 88. Mickens advanced to third on a passed ball with one out but was doubled up after Kaylie Drew snared a hard line drive off the bat of Hux to end the threat.

NiaRaye Ceasar connected off Sargent in the bottom of the sixth as she launched a pitch deep over the left field fence that hooked just foul. Sargent would battle back to retire Ceasar and keep it a one run game.

Hughes didn't need the extra run however as she set down Mississippi College in order in the final frame to secure the victory and send the Lady Flames to 36-18 on the year.

"Today was a good day. We are playing well and I like our chances going into tomorrow. We are fighting and had to overcome some tough situations today," said head coach Emily Russell. "I know that will help us tomorrow. Pitching and defense did well and we will need them tomorrow."

LU 4, JU 0
Freshman Leigh Beatenbough (13-7) dazzled in the circle to help the Lady Flames stay alive with a shutout victory over Judson.

After dropping their first game to Simpson head coach Emily Russell turned to her freshman to help keep the season alive for Lee. Beatenbough responded with a complete game gem. The Canon, Ga. native allowed just three hits and struck out three while not walking a batter.

Senior Dominique Hannah led the way for the Lady Flames offense. Hannah singled and tripled in the contest. She drove in two runs and scored twice. Lexie Dean, NiaRaye Ceasar and Beatenbough also added singles to complete the five hit effort for Lee.

Despite only five hits the Lady Flames drew seven walks in the contest to keep the pressure on the Eagles on game long. Brianna Tennyson (19-11) started and pitched 3.1 innings allowing four hits and four runs. She struggled with her commanded however yielding six of the seven free passes. Katelyn Kirker came on in relief and worked 3.2 scoreless innings allowing just one hit while striking out a pair.

The victory improved the Lady Flames to 35-18 on the year. Judson finished the 2015 season with a 31-17-1 record.

LU 3, SU 5
The Lady Flames fell 5-3 to Simpson University (Calif.) on Thursday afternoon to drop down into the loser's bracket of the NCCAA World Series.

Lee got on the board first in their opening at bat as Kaylie Drew continued to swing a red hot bat. The junior roped a run-scoring single through the left side and finished with two hits and two RBI in the contest. Drew is hitting .425 on the year with 59 RBI to pace the Lee offensive effort.

The Redhawks would answer with solo runs in the first three innings and two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Kaylana Mah doubled, singled and drove in a run to lead Simpson. Courtney Thomas followed suite with a double single and a RBI.

Rachel Essee and Marisa Marmolejo added the other runs for the Redhawks, the No 2 seed in the tournament. Marmolejo hit a run-scoring triple in the second and Essee singled in a run in the third inning.

Angie Hughes started and worked the first three frames for the Lady Flames. Hughes allowed seven hits and three runs. She walked one and struck out one. The junior came on in relief to get the win in yesterday's victory over Southern Wesleyan.

Freshman Leigh Beatenbough tossed three innings of relief. She allowed three hits and a pair of runs.

Paris Hallums (17-8) started and worked all seven innings for the Redhawks. She allowed six hits and three runs but all the tallies were unearned. Hallums whiffed five batters and did not allow a walk.