CLEVELAND, Tenn. –Madison Pinzon had eight runs in the two games to help lead the Lee University softball team past Tusculum University in a double header sweep. The Lady Flames got the bat going with an 8-2 and 12-5 win. Lee improved to 17-29 with the victories. Lee will remain at home this weekend to host the University of West Alabama in three games.
GAME 1
Tusculum scored a run in the first inning. They took advantage of a Lee error and two hits to score their run. The Lady Flames tied the game in the third. Pinzon got on via an error and then Katie Hastings single. Hailey Simco also got on via an error and Pinzon scored to make it 1-1.
Lee took a commanding lead in the fourth. Addi Lewis and Hayden Gardner walked to get on base, then Alyson Jarvi doubled to score Lewis. Pinzon followed that up with a three-run home run to make it 5-2.
The Lady Flames scored three more runs in the fifth. Simco reached first safely on a dropped third strike and then Lewis walked again. After Jarvi was hit by a pitch, Pinzon singled to score Lewis and Simco. Hastings also singled to score Jarvi and make it 8-1. Tusculum scored their final run via a sacrifice fly in the sixth.
Lee outhit Tusculum 7-6. Pinzon had five RBI to lead the team while she and Jarvi each had two runs as well.
Kaylee Underwood earned the win. She threw five innings and gave up two runs on six hits. Abigail Welbaum had two innings in relief and did not give up a run or a hit.
GAME 2
Lee struck first in the second inning. Gardner led it off with a walk and then Jarvi singled. A sac bunt from Pinzon placed the runners in scoring position and Addi Emerson brought Gardner home with a sac fly. Tusculum took the lead in the third. They splashed around three hits and used a walk to score three runs and lead it 3-1.
In the fourth a triple from Abby Hunter for the Pioneers scored Faith Gibbs and Tusculum led 4-1. Lee tied the game at 4-4 in the fourth. Jarvi hit a solo home run. Pinzon followed that up with a single. Hastings reached on a fielder's choice and Pinzon was safe because of an error. Sadie Winsett then tripled to score two runs and tie the game.
Tusculum then retook the lead in the fifth with a solo home run. Lee exploded for eight runs in the fifth sending 13 batters to the plate. Simco walked to lead off the inning and then stole second base. Lewis brought her home with a single. Gardner then reached safely on a fielder's choice while Lewis was forced out at second. Jarvi was then walked to put two on base. Pinzon then hit her second three-run home run of the day to give Lee the 8-5 lead.
The offensive onslaught then continued for Lee. Emerson popped out for the second out of the inning. Hastings, Winsett, and Nat Toups were all walked in a row to load the bases. Simco brought two home with a single, and the Lewis went doubled to score the final two runs of the game.
Lee scored 12 total runs on just eight hits. Eight Lee batters were walked in the win. Lewis and Pinzon each had three RBI in the win.
Layne Bailey stated the game and threw two and one-third innings. She gave up three runs on four hits. Ella Baker threw four and two-third innings in relief. She had six strikeouts and gave up two runs on three hits.
Coach Emily Russell's Thoughts:
"Madison has been doing really well. Her hitting has seemed to have turned a corner. She makes strong contact and is a powerful hitter and was really strong today. This weekend we will face another power hitting team in West Alabama so we need to take what we have seen the last few games and be prepared for that."
