The Lee softball team ran into a buzz saw on Wednesday afternoon falling to No. 22 Lincoln Memorial 15-1 and 11-7 from Butler Field.

The Railsplitters used a 10-run fourth inning to put game one away in five innings. In game two the Lady Flames jumped out to a 5-2 advantage after two but LMU bounced right back with three in the third and five in fifth to help complete the sweep.

"I thought we were a little overwhelmed in game one and didn't have the proper response when we got down," said Lee head coach Emily Russell. "We are going to experience some growing pains this season, particularly in the circle but we are confident in this teams and what they are capable of accomplishing. We did a better job in game two of responding to adversity but credit Lincoln Memorial they swung the bats well all day and made us work for everything."

Shelby Cole led the Lady Flames with a 3 for 6 day at the plate. The freshman outfielder from Ringgold, Ga. doubled, scored twice and drove in the lone Lee run in game one. Senior Kayla Gooch started in game two and went 2 for 3 with a double and three RBI.

Gracie Leslie (0-1) started the opener and labored through four innings. Leslie allowed 13 hits and 15 runs and surrendered nine free passes. Griffith (1-0) went four scoreless innings to earn the victory in the circle for LMU.

Mallory Orchard started game two and allowed three runs on three hits in 3.1 Orchard allowed three hits but gave up four walks. Madison Barnett (0-1) finished off the final 4.2 allowing eight runs, five earned while punching out five.

Emma Frost (1-0) went the distance for the Railsplitters. She allowed seven runs on eight hits while striking out eight.

Goins had five hits and drove in four out of the leadoff spot for the visitors. Madison Henry launched a home run deep over the left field wall in game one while Emma Webb blasted a solo shot over the home bullpen in right field in the seventh inning to wrap up the scoring.

The Lady Flames will take the weekend before heading on the road for the first time this season to square off with Carson-Newman on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Lee will open up Gulf South Conference play on Feb. 20 when Union University comes to town for a three-game series.