SAINT LEO, Fla. – Thanks to 6.2 innings of stellar relief pitching from Taylor Moran and a four-hit day from Abby McKinney the Lee softball team continued its winning ways with a 4-2 victory over North Alabama on Friday afternoon in the NCAA South Regional Tournament.

Moran (13-5) came on in the first inning and stopped the bleeding as she worked out of a bases loaded jam to preserve an early 2-1 lead. From there the freshman from Chattanooga allowed just one run on seven hits and struck out five to lower her ERA to 1.35.

The Lee offense wasted little time getting things going as Stevie Baird led off the game with a hit for the third straight time in postseason play. After a sacrifice bunt from Courtney Crawford and a double from McKinney, Moran laced a run-scoring single to bring home Baird and give the Lady Flames a lead they would never relinquish.

Leigh Beatenbough drove home the second run of the first inning for the Lady Flames with a swinging bunt that scored McKinney. Beatenbough finished with three RBI as she singled home another run in the third and delivered some insurance with a sacrifice fly in the fifth.

McKinney, fresh off being named the top designated player in the South Region, was a perfect 4 for 4 at the dish with two doubles and two runs scored.

"I was just trying to clear my head and not over think things up at the plate," said McKinney after the win. "I think that type of approach is helpful for me and seemed to settle me down these last couple of games."

Raven Cole (9-8) started for North Alabama and suffered the loss as she battled through 4.1 innings before giving way to Hillary Carpenter with two on in the fifth. Carpenter finished out the contest working 2.2 scoreless innings while striking out three.

A key turning point in the game came in the bottom of the fifth as the Lions had two on with two outs when Shelby Woodward singled to left field appearing to load the bases before Lee catcher Brooklynn Frazier alertly caught Reagan Tittle taking too big of a round at second and fired her out to end the threat.

Tittle led the Lions offense with three hits and drove in two runs. The junior shortstop singled home a run in the first inning and roped an RBI triple to left center in the third. Sabrina Gilliam added two hits and scored a run.

"Scoring first really set the tone for our team and I loved how aggressive we were at the plate," said head coach Emily Russell. "We are playing well in every facet of the game right now and are excited to get to play tomorrow to try and advance to super regionals."

The Lady Flames (35-18) will now advance to the championship game of the South Region 2 bracket and will play Saturday at noon. North Alabama (31-19) moves to the loser's bracket and will play the winner of Saint Leo and Alabama Huntsville at 6 p.m.

Lee sits in the driver's seat coming out of the winner's bracket and can seal a trip to the South Super Regional on Saturday with a win either at noon or in game two and 3 p.m.