MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The Lee softball team wrapped up the Falcon Frenzy with a doubleheader split on Sunday afternoon to go 3-1 over the two-day event.
The Lady Flames slugged past Ursuline College, 15-4 before falling to the University of Indianapolis, 3-0 in a pitcher's duel.
The Lady Flames are now 9-3 on the season and will gear up for their conference opener as they host a three-game series with perennial power Alabama Huntsville beginning on Saturday at 2 p.m.
LEE 15 UC 4
The Lee bats heated up in the second inning for six runs and put the game out of reach with a nine-spot in the third inning to roll past the Arrows, 15-4.
Abby McKinney led the Lady Flames with three hits, four RBI and scored two runs. The freshman from Ringgold, Ga., also delivered in the circle improving to 5-1 on the year. McKinney allowed four runs on seven hits and struck out four over five innings of work.
Bailey Church drove in four runs hitting a two-run homer in the second and a two-run double in the third inning. Taylor Moran doubled and singled and had two RBI while Courtney Crawford set the table at the leadoff spot with two hits and scored two runs.
Leah Leshnack provided the offense for Ursuline College. She slugged a three-run home run in the fourth inning. Jones drove in the other run in the fifth inning on a bases-loaded walk.
Gina Rosshirt started in the circle for the Arrows and was tagged with the loss. She yielded six runs on seven hits in 1 2/3 innings.
LEE 0 UINDY 3
After scoring 15 runs in the first game the Lee bats were stifled thanks to a complete game shutout from UINDY's Crystal Sicard in the nightcap on Sunday. The Greyhounds improved to 3-2 on the young season with the victory.
Leigh Beatenbough (3-2) earned the tough-luck loss for the Lady Flames. The junior tossed 3 2/3 innings and gave up three runs on four hits. She walked four and struck out a pair. Moran came on in relief and worked 2 1/3 scoreless innings and gave up just one hit while striking out three. The freshman
The Greyhounds struck early as they scored two runs in the first inning. Leadoff hitter Dani Turner drew a walk to start the contest and later scored on a Lee throwing error. Natalie Lalich drove in the second run of the frame with a RBI single up the middle.
The Indiana club added a single insurance run for Sicard in the fourth inning as Katie Kelly worked a bases-loaded walk.
The Lady Flames tallied five hits and had three walks against Sicard. McKinney added two more hits and is currently hitting a sizzling .600 just 12 games into her collegiate career. Kayla Louie, Crawford and Beatenbough also added singles.
"It was a good weekend of competition. We faced a variety of pitching and learned a lot about our team," said head coach Emily Russell. "We have a good list of things to work on this week heading into our GSC play. It's tough opening conference play so soon but we will be prepared. Overall we had some quality hitting from everyone and our pitching was also solid."
