Oxford, Ala. – Layton Murphy tossed a complete game shutout as Alabama Huntsville blanked the Lee Lady Flames, 3-0 in the first round of the Gulf South Conference Softball Championship on Wednesday evening from Choccolocco Park.

The Lady Flames will now look to battle out of the loser's bracket as they play the loser of Auburn Montgomery and Union in an elimination game Thursday at 1:30 p.m.

Murphy (16-7) allowed just six hits and struck out six to send the Chargers into the winner's bracket.

The Chargers scored all of their runs via the long ball. Lawren Hayes hit a solo shot in the third and Kiara Akles drilled a two-run shot later in the frame to account of the game's only scoring.

Madison Barnett (9-12) started and went 2.2 innings for Lee. She allowed three runs on the four hits. Alaina Watson came on and was solid in relief as she gave up just one hit and no runs over 3.1 innings.

Lee threatened to score in the fourth as Ana Macha led things off with a single. After Taylor De Adder reached via a fielder's choice, Javaria Smith roped a double to left center for the Lady Flames only extra base hit. With runners on second and third and only one out Murphy worked out of the jam with a line out to short and a foul out to third.

"We played a really good game. We don't have the runs to show but we squared the ball up tonight but didn't find any holes," noted Lee head coach Emily Russell. "Alaina came in and kept us in the ballgame and gave us a chance. We will fight again tomorrow."

The loss drops the Lady Flames to 27-22 while the Chargers have now won 15 straight games and improve to 36-14.