HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Lee softball team dropped both games of a Gulf South Conference doubleheader on Friday afternoon to the No. 17 University of Alabama in Huntsville Chargers.
The Chargers dominated game one, winning 9-1 in five innings. The Lady Flames appeared to be on their way to salvaging the split in game two after a three-run rally in the top of the seventh tied things up at 7-7. Taylor De Adder doubled home Kayla Louie before Laney Harris drilled a two-run shot to left center.
Madison Besaw gave Lee a 7-6 edge as she singled home a Shelby Cole in the top of the eighth but the Chargers bounced back with two runs in the eighth to walk off with the sweep. Lila Young tied things up on an infield single and Reagan Malone ended the game with a single to right field.
"We played much better in game two and had chances to steal a game on the road. It was tough to let that get away," lamented head coach Emily Russell. "We are growing and we came up with some big hits in game two. I like where this team is headed. They fight."
Lily Hatcher led the Lady Flames with three hits. Harris homered, single and drove in three while Cole scored twice.
Taylor De Adder started in the circle for the Lady Flames and struggled with her command through three innings. She gave up four runs on four hits and walked seven. Shonna Penney (0-2) came on in relief and surrendered four runs on seven hits while walking three over 4.1 innings.
Grace O'Berry tossed seven innings for UAH and allowed six runs. O'Berry struck out four and walked two while yielding nine hits. Ava Jacobs (1-0) worked the eighth inning and allowed run on two hits to earn the victory.
GAME 1 LEE 1 UAH 9
Alaina Hampton smashed a three-run homer in the first and the Chargers never looked back in taking game one on Friday, 9-1 over the Lady Flames.
Hampton finished 2 for 2 with three RBI a walk and three runs scored. Ashley Cornell also had a big day at the plate for the home team with three hits and two runs driven in.
Trailing 7-0 the Lady Flames finally got on the board in the fourth inning. Abby McKinney singled to left field followed by a fielding miscue by the Chargers which allowed Annalyn Ormsby to advance home.
Layton Murphy (8-4) was sharp in the circle for UAH as she worked all five innings allowing just one unearned run on five singles. She punched out five and walked one.
Madison Barnett (3-3) suffered the loss on the mound for the Lady Flames. She gave up nine runs (seven earned) over 4.2 innings. Barnett allowed six walks and 11 hits.
The Lady Flames fall to 9-14 overall and 7-10 in league play. The Chargers improve to 18-7 and are 14-6 in the GSC. The two clubs will wrap up the three-game set tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m.
