The Lee softball team rallied to win game two to earn a doubleheader split with the No. 1 ranked North Georgia Nighthawks on Tuesday evening at Butler Field.

The Lady Flames (15-9) bounced back after blowing a 6-1 lead to take down the Nighthawks (28-8), 8-7 on a walk off hit by pitch in game two. North Georgia out pitched in a 3-0 game one win.

"We could use some good. Today was much needed," admitted Lee head coach Emily Russell. "The pitchers both threw extremely well and fought hard. We hit well and made adjustments at the plate. We didn't back down and we fought. That's all I can ask for as a coach."

Lee will jump back into Gulf South Conference play on Friday as they travel to West Georgia to open up a three-game weekend series.

GAME 2 LEE 8 UNG 7
With the bases loaded and the score tied at 7-7 Claudia Jones took a fastball to the elbow to deliver a victory for the Lady Flames over the nation's top ranked team.

Jones also tripled in the contest and scored twice. Kayla Louie had two hits and drove in three runs. Kiley Longmire added two hits and two RBI.

Taylor De Adder (7-6) went the distance and allowed seven runs but only three were earned. She allowed six hits and struck out five.

The Nighthawks used four pitchers in the battle. Abbie Crawford started but was chased after allowing a four-run second inning. Lake Chambers allowed two more runs in 1.2 innings. Bria Bush (1-2) was tagged with the loss as she gave up two runs on two hits in 3.2 innings of work. Game one starter Kylee Smith came on and surrendered the hit by pitch to Jones.

The Nighthawks made things interesting with a four-run seventh inning to take a 7-6 advantage. After two runs scored on an error Kaylee Womack hit a sacrifice fly to center to
make knot it up at 6-6. Marley Stowers gave the Nighthawks a brief advantage with an infield single to score Katie Collins.

The Lady Flames showed some resiliency in the bottom of the seventh. Louie lead things off with a single. After stealing second Louie advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Hatcher. The junior scored when Abby McKinney reached on a fielder's choice. After a fly out a walk to pinch hitter Caroline Freiling set the stage for Jones' bases loaded hit by pitch with two outs.

GAME 1 LEE 0 UNG 3
Smith (16-1) dazzled in the circle for North Georgia as she tossed a complete game three-hitter, striking out eight and allowing just one walk to lead the Nighthawks past the Lady Flames, 3-0 in Tuesday's opener.

Shonna Penney (5-11) was the tough-luck loser for Lee. The sophomore gave up three unearned on four hits. Penney punched out three and allowed just one walk.

Lexi Duncan delivered a run-scoring double to get UNG on the board in the third inning. Hobby Gregory followed with a two-run single to give Smith all the backing she would need.

Abby McKinney doubled and Lily Hatcher and Longmire each had one-base knocks to account for the Lee offense.