JACKSON, Tenn. – The Lee softball team suffered a tough start to the Gulf South Conference season as the Union Bulldogs scored six unanswered runs in both game one and game two to sweep the Saturday Doubleheader.
The Lady Flames (4-7, 0-2) will look to end a five-game skid and salvage the series finale on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. The Bulldogs improve to 4-6 and 2-0 in league play.
"We have to learn how to close out and play a consistent game. We need to manage our effort, focus and intensity," said Lee head coach Emily Russell. "We didn't do that today, but we have the opportunity to do so tomorrow and I'm looking forward to watching that type of game from our team."
GAME 1 Lee 5 Union 6
The Lady Flames scored three runs in the first and led 5-0 after three but Union rallied for six straight runs thanks in large part to a grand slam by Mackenzi David in the fourth inning.
Lee held a 5-4 lead going to the seventh, but the Bulldogs tied things up on a solo home run by Macey Neal before walking off for the victory on a squeeze bunt by Idalia Alarcon.
Javaria Smith led the Lady Flames with a pair of singles while Kylie Bohl capped off a three-run first with an RBI double for the lone extra base hit for the Lady Flames.
Nyah Vogel (2-3) started in the circle for the Lady Flames and went the distance allowing six runs on nine hits. She punched out six and surrendered three walks.
Kira Finkley got the nod for the Bulldogs but was lifted after just 1.1 innings giving up four runs, one earned on four hits. Olivia Baker (1-2) was stellar in relief and she finished off the final 5.2 innings giving up just one run on three hits.
GAME 2 Lee 1 Union 6
Reese Taylor improved to 3-1 in the circle for Union as she went 4.1 innings allowing on run on four hits while striking out four. Laken DiStefano came on in relief and worked a scoreless 2.2 innings to earn the save.
Riley Goodridge delivered the lone offensive output for the Lady Flames as she launched a home run to left center field in the third inning.
From there the Bulldogs scored six unanswered runs for the second straight game starting with a two-run single from Alyssa Ward in the bottom of the third. David followed with a sacrifice fly in the fourth and Grace White singled home a run in the fifth. Union completed the scoring with two more runs in the sixth. Idalia Alarcon hit a sacrifice fly and David scored via the fourth Lee error of the game.
Madison Barnett (2-4) went all six innings for the Lady Flames. The sophomore gave up 10 hits and allowed six runs but only three were earned. She struck out three and did not walk a batter.
