The Lee softball team fell behind early and was unable to dig out of the hole in losing, 16-5 to No. 6 North Alabama in Saturday's series finale from Butler Field.

The high-powered Lions offense pounded out 15 hits in the five-inning affair and, as was the case the entire series, were able to score early, adding five runs in the opening frame. The Lady Flames were limited to just five base hits and drew four walks.

"In our mid-week games we jumped on Tusculum early but this weekend we didn't do a good job of getting off to a good start," said head coach Emily Russell.

The one bright spot on the day for Lee was the play of seniors Lexie Dean and Amanda Lynn who continue to sizzle at the plate at the top of the lineup. Dean registered two more singles and is hitting .458 on the season with 31 RBI. Lynn reached base in all three trips to the dish with two walks and single and scored a pair of runs.

The Lions were led by Brooklynn Clark who had three hits and scored four runs. Reagan Tittle smacked a home run and drove in two. Shelby Woodward hit a two-run home run in the third to help break the game open. Harlie Barkley also had three hits and scored three runs.

Angie Hughes (4-9) started for the Lady Flames but was unable to record an out. Hughes allowed five runs on three hits. Leigh Beatenbough pitched two innings of relief but the Lions kept pounding as Beatenbough was charged with four runs on five hits. Freshman Madyson Stallcup tossed the final three innings and allowed seven hits and seven runs but just one was earned. She struck out three and walked two.

Raven Cole got the nod for North Alabama but lasted just 1 2/3 innings allowing four runs. Hillary Carpenter (14-2) was called on and allowed just one run on two hits in 3 1/3 innings. Carpenter did not walk a batter and had five strikeouts.

The Lady Flames fall to 11-16 on the year and are now 2-13 in the Gulf South Conference. The Lions improve to 29-4 overall and are 13-2 in league play.

Lee will look to get back on track on Wednesday as they travel to Nashville to test Trevecca Nazarene in a doubleheader. The Lady Flames resume conference play next Saturday as they visit Rome, Ga. to tangle with rival Shorter University.

"We're going to keep preaching sticking to the process. We know these are important games coming up this week and we need to get some wins on the road but we also know we can't press and put too much pressure on ourselves," added Russell. "Our schedule has been really difficult but I think we have the ability to get things turned around."