After taking a three-run lead, the Lee University softball team gave up five runs in the last three innings to fall to Auburn University Montgomery 8-6 on Sunday afternoon at Butler Field. AUM took the series two games to one as the Lady Flames fell to 10-11 overall and 6-6 in Gulf South Conference play.
AUM got on the scoreboard first thanks to a solo home run from Gia Martin. Two batters later, the Warhawks extended the lead with another home run. Whitney Well drove in two and AUM led 3-0 after the second inning.
Lee’s first run came in the bottom of the third when Shelby Cole took advantage of an error by the right fielder. Laney Harris was then walked with the bases loaded to bring Alexa Scalzo home. Annalyn Ormsby gave Lee its first lead as she doubled to left center field. Hailey Simco and Ashley Fields both scored on the hit. The double gave Lee the 4-3 lead.
Shelby Cole hit her second home run of the weekend in the fourth inning to give Lee the 6-3 advantage. AUM struck back in the fifth though as Molly Cobb hit a two run home run as well to make it 6-5. The Warhawks retook the lead in the seventh when Martin hit her second home run of the game giving AUM the 7-6 lead. Well added one more for insurance behind a single from Well to earn the win.
Ormsby went 3-for-4 from the field with two RBI. Cole and Harris both had RBI as well for Lee. Abigail Welbaum got the start for Lee. She went two innings and gave up three runs on three hits. Katie Willoughby had two innings in relief and threw two innings as well. She gave up two runs of four hits. Olivia Tyson took the loss going two and one-third innings giving up three runs on four hits. Alaina Watson threw the last two-thirds on an inning and didn’t give up a hit.
The Lady Flames will be back in action on Wednesday, March 20 as they will host Trevecca Nazarene University at Butler Field. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 3 PM.
AUBURN-MONTGOMERY BASEBALL 8 LEE 2 Visiting Auburn University at Montgomery posted three runs in the top of the first inning and never trailed in handing the Lee University baseball team an 8-2 defeat on Sunday afternoon at Larry Carpenter Stadium.
After winning Saturday’s doubleheader in the Gulf South Conference three-game series, the Flames were able to secure their fourth straight series and improved to 8-4 in conference play, 18-8 overall. The Warhawks improved to 9-5, 14-14.
Lee returns to non-conference play on Tuesday, hosting the University of North Georgia. The single nine-inning game is slated for a 5 p.m. first pitch. The Flames will face Christian Brothers University in a GSC three-game series next weekend at Larry Carpenter Stadium.
The Warhawks sent eight hitters to the plate in the first inning and their first three hitters reached base against Lee starter Nelson Smith. The right-hander (3-3) was charged with the loss after pitching 3.2 innings. He allowed five hits and six earned runs.
Five other Flames pitchers worked before the day ended. Cole Matthaidess (2.0), David White (1.0), Zachary Lawson (1.0) and Hunter Lane (1.0) turned in solid performances on the mound.
Lee cut the margin to 3-1 in the bottom of the third inning. Brantley Cutler had a two-base hit and scored on a RBI double by Ashton Simmons. The Warhawks quickly put the contest out of reach with four runs in the fourth inning and led 7-1.
The Flames’ only other run came in the bottom of the sixth on a long homerun by Matthew Batts. It was his fourth homer of the year. Lee finished with eight hits and Batts was the only Flame with more than one hit. He also singled in the fourth inning.
Luke Collier and Riley Black joined Cutler and Simmons with two-base hits. Dylan Standifer and JJ Williams also had singles in the loss.
The Warhawks collected 10 hits. Ashton Thomas banged out a double, single, was hit by a pitch and walked to set the pace for the winners. He also scored two runs and drove in another. Tyrese Rooks enjoyed a big day with a pair of singles and a two-base hit. He scored twice and drove in a pair.
The top of the AUM batting order produced six of the team’s eight runs. Zach Dew collected two hits and crossed home plate twice. Kasey Clark reached base three times in joining Rooks with solid performances.
Clay Sagle (3-2) was the starting and winning pitcher for the Warhawks. In five innings he gave up five hits and one earned run. Brett Pitts was called on for three innings and allowed three hits and an earned run. Ryan Slaten pitched the final inning.