VALDOSTA, GA. -The Lee University softball team dropped the first game of the three-game series to Valdosta State University 3-0 on Saturday afternoon. A three-run home run from Taylor Lewis in the third inning was the difference. The Lady Flames fell to 9-24 overall and 4-12 in Gulf South Conference action while VSU improved to 26-5 overall and 14-2 in GSC play.
 
Ana Macha led the game off with a single but was left stranded at first. For Valdosta State in the bottom of the first, Makenzie Hill had a walk, but she was also left on second base. VSU added a single in the second inning, but Taylor Macera was left at second base.
 
Macha got to second base in the top of the third inning, but the Lady Flames were unable to bring her home. VSU took the lead in the bottom of the third when Taylor Lewis hit a three-run home run after a walk and a hit by a pitch put two runners on base.
 
Javaria Smith had hits in the fourth and seventh inning and VSU had a hit by a pitch and a walk and those were the only base runners in the final four innings.
 
The pitcher for VSU, Samantha Richards, went the complete game and gave up three hits and had 10 strikeouts. For the Lady Flames, Madison Barnett went all seven innings and only allowed three hits and had five strikeouts as well. Mach had one hit and Smith had the other two for the Lady Flames.
 
Lee will continue the series with Valdosta State. The two teams will play a double header and will have first pitch on Sunday, April 2 at 1 PM.