The Lee University softball team clinched the No. 3 seed from the East Division for next week’s Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament with a doubleheader sweep of Brewton-Parker College, 8-6 and 6-3, Saturday afternoon. The Lady Flames (26-14, 17-8 SSAC)hold a four game lead over the Lady Barons (36-18, 16-12) and will not be required to make up the two rained out games at Columbia College and the home contest against Emmanuel College.
Kelsey Barnes drilled a three-run homer in the top of the eighth to supply Lee with the eventual winning margin in the nightcap. Barnes finished 1-for-3 in the game.
Danielle Balough was 3-for-4 to lead the Lee offensive attack that produced six runs and six hits. Ana Coscorrosa doubled and Jenevieve Cena singled in the win.
Brewton-Parker received two of its seven hits off the bat of Sadie Mullins. Mullins doubled and scored a run.
Sarah Hemphill tallied an RBI double and Courtni Fritts delivered a pinch-hit RBI single.
Katie Deems was in the circle for seven innings before giving way to Brittany Balough in he eighth inning. Deems (3-2) gave up three runs, seven hits, walked six and fanned two Lady Barons.
Balough picked up her second save of the season. She walked one and struck out one in one inning of work.
Myia Ashmore started for BPC, was charged with four hits, three runs and three walks in seven innings. Ashmore struck out two Lady Flames.
Crystal Chesser was tabbed with the loss after taking over in the top of the eighth inning. Chesser gave up two hits, three runs and two walks, while recording one strikeout.
In the opener, Lee scored its eight runs off 16 hits, while Brewton-Parker used 12 hits and a Lee error to post its six runs.
Cena paced Lee offense with four hits in four at bats, including an RBI double.
Barnes and Ana Coscorrosa each tallied three hits. Barnes was 3-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and three runs scored. Coscorrosa was 3-for-4 with a RBI double and a run scored.
Taylor Horseman, Kaitlyn Grosch and Danielle Balough had two hits each. Balough doubled and knocked in two runs and Horseman recorded an RBI.
Crystal Chesser lead BPC with three hits. Ashley Wooten and Amanda Averett joined Chesser as the only Lady Barons with multiple hits.
Brittany Balough went the distance to pick up her 15th win in 23 decisions. She allowed six runs on 12 hits, walked one and struck out three.
Laura Hutchins was charged with the loss after surrendering two runs, seven hits, four walks and striking out one.
The Lady Flames will now head to Columbus, Ga., for the SSAC Tournament. The bracket will be released early in the week.