MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Lee softball team ended the 2019 season with an 8-1 loss to Auburn Montgomery as the Warhawks finished off a three-game sweep of the Lady Flames on Sunday afternoon.
Lee ends an injury-riddled season at 22-31 and were 10-19 in the Gulf South Conference. Auburn Montgomery, unable to qualify for postseason due to the NCAA reclassification process, ends their season at 43-12 and 20-9 in league play.
"While this was not the way we projected the season to go I feel as though we've learned some valuable lessons that can help us for the future," said Lee head coach Emily Russell. "The team fought through adversity and worked each day to improve."
The Lady Flames lone offense of the day game in the first inning as Abby McKinney doubled home Kayla Louie for her 42 RBI of the season. Louie, who reached on an error, stole her GSC-leading and Lee record 44
th base of the season.
Lee had a shot for a big first frame with runners on second and third and one out but Natalie Johnsey struck out back to back batters to limit the damage. The Warhawk righty would dominate from there allowing just three hits and one unearned run over the full seven innings to finish 6-2 on the year.
The Warhawks jumped out early with four runs in the first inning off Lee starter Shonna Penney. Jaycie Walker, Michaelyn Foster and Savanna Holmes hit three consecutive doubles to give the home team a 4-1 advantage after one.
Penney (10-17) went all six innings allowing 11 hits, three walks and eight runs (five earned).
Auburn Montgomery would tack on one in the second and three more in the fifth to put the game away. Kasidy Thompson went 3 for 3 and scored twice while Olivia Aycock set the table with two hits, two RBI and two runs scored.
"Stevie Baird, Carol (Caroline Freiling) and Claudia (Jones) will be missed but each have left their fingerprints on the program and we are better because of their sacrifices and dedication," concluded Russell.
