DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Thanks to a seventh inning solo home run by Abby McKinney the Lee softball team battled back to earn a hard-fought doubleheader split at No. 9 North Georgia on Wednesday afternoon.
After being shutout in game 1, 4-0 the Lady Flames faced a similar fate in the nightcap as they trailed 1-0 heading into the seventh inning. That's when McKinney stepped up and lead off the frame with a solo blast to right field to force extra innings.
From there Lulu Vasquez, the Gulf South Conference Pitcher of the Week, helped her own cause with a run-scoring infield single in the eighth inning to give Lee the 2-1 advantage. Madison Besaw added an insurance run with a sharp single to right to score Brooklynn Frazier before Vasquez was caught in a run down between second and third.
Vasquez made the lead stick working around a leadoff walk in the eighth inning to give the Lady Flames the 3-1 win. The righty went all eight innings and struck out six to improve to 5-2 on the year. She allowed just three hits and danced around seven walks to secure the win.
"It was a good test for us today. I am proud of Destiny (Lulu) and how she gutted it out when she didn't have her best day and for Shonna for throwing and keeping us in the game and giving us a shot," said Lee head coach Emily Russell. "Our offense really sparked in the end of the second game and we were able to tie it up and then take the lead. They have a strong team and they are very much one of the top teams in the country. I think it was a good opportunity for us to grow."
Laken Chambers (3-1) worked all eight innings in the circle for the Nighthawks. She allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks. Chambers punched out eight batters and induced 13 ground outs.
GAME 1 – LEE 0 UNG 4
Kylee Smith showcased why she is one of the top pitchers in the nation as she improved to 10-1 with a complete game shutout of the Lady Flames in game one on Wednesday. Smith struck out 10, gave up just one walk and surrendered just three hits as she faced just five batters over the minimum.
Shonna Penney (4-1) was the tough-luck loser for Lee. The junior gave up all four runs in the fourth frame but only one was earned. She allowed seven hits and struck out five over six innings.
Olivia Sinquefie singled home the first run. Cheyanne Mosteller followed with a double to left. Leadoff hitter Kaylyn Anthony hit a sacrifice fly and Kaylee Womack wrapped up the rally with a single to center.
The top three hitters in the Lee lineup provided the only offense with three singles by Kayla Louie, Lily Hatcher, Taylor De Adder.
The Lady Flames have won 4 of 5 and are now 10-5 overall. North Georgia moves to 15-2 on the year. Lee will jump back into conference play this weekend as it travels to Memphis to take on Christian Brothers. The three-game weekend set is scheduled to begin on Saturday with a doubleheader at 1 p.m.
