The Lee softball team concluded a three-game set with the University of Alabama-Huntsville on Sunday afternoon, falling to the Chargers 7-3 in Gulf South Conference action.
The Lady Flames (5-9, 2-4) have now dropped five-straight games since taking two of three from Union University last weekend. The difficult stretch however featured a home doubleheader with No. 16 North Georgia on Wednesday before traveling to Huntsville to battle the third-ranked Lady Chargers (11-2, 4-2) over the weekend.
UAH jumped on the board first with a pair of runs in the third inning. Kaitlyn Bannister roped a double to left center to score the first run followed by a Mallory McNeal run-scoring single to give the home team a 2-0 advantage.
Freshman Jesse Giles brought the Lady Flames back in the fifth inning as she launched her first career home run over the left field fence to tie things up at 2-2. Giles would also add a double in the contest.
The tie was short-lived however, as Alabama-Huntsville struck for four runs in the bottom of the fifth off Lee reliever Hailey Clark to help seal the victory. Hailey Thompson singled in a run with the bases loaded to start the rally. After a Lady Flames' throwing error led to a unearned run the Lady Chargers would cap the inning off with a two-run single by Emily Glover.
Angie Hughes started a worked 2 2/3 innings before giving way to Clark. Hughes gave up two runs on four hits. Clark (0-3) was tagged with the loss as she pitched the final 3 1/3 innings giving up five runs on six hits.
Whitney Toler started for Alabama-Huntsville and was effective in 4 2/3 innings of work. Toler gave up two runs on two hits and struck out three. After Tyler Harrison gave up a pair of hits in relief, Kimberly Jack (1-0) came on to work the final 2 1/3 innings to secure the victory.
Harrison continued her weekend tear at the plate for the Lady Chargers with two doubles and two runs scored. Bannister added a double and a single.
Freshman Rachel Polacek joined Giles with two hits in the contest adding a pair of singles for Lee. Amanda Lynn, Lexie Dean, Dominique Hannah and Ana Cosocorrosa all singled as well to complete the eight-hit performance.
The Lady Flames will look to get back on the winning track when they return home to Butler Field to battle Tennessee Wesleyan College on Wednesday. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 3 p.m.