Thanks to a stellar performance from Taylor Moran in the circle the Lee softball team salvaged a doubleheader split with Mississippi College winning 1-0 in game two on Monday afternoon.
Moran (11-4) outdueled the Choctaw's Kristen Gardner to win the pitcher's duel. Moran all seven scoreless innings allowing just three hits and two walks. The freshman leads the GSC in ERA at 1.21. Gardner (2-3) suffered the tough luck loss going all six innings, scattering six hits and allowing just one run.
Neither pitcher struck out a batter despite just allowing a combined one run over 13 innings.
The Lady Flames finally ended the scoreless drought in the fifth inning. With one out and one on senior Courtney Crawford delivered an infield hit. Abby McKinney followed with a fielder's choice RBI bringing Stevie Baird home for the game's lone run.
Neither team had an extra base hit in the contest. Crawford and Zoe Miller each singled twice while Baird, McKinney, Louie and Leigh Beatenbough added one-base knocks.
The doubleheader split moves Lee to 32-14 on the year and 19-10 in the GSC. Mississippi College keeps pace in the conference at 19-10 and are 28-18 overall. Both the Lady Flames and Choctaws are tied for fourth in the GSC with one series remaining.
Lee will head down to Pensacola to take on West Florida next Saturday. The Argonauts are 20-9 in the league play and just a half-game back of Alabama Huntsville for first place and the right to host the GSC Tournament beginning on May 4.
After the conclusion of game two the Lee softball team recognized its five seniors in Crawford, Annabeth Pruett, Hailey Clark, Holley Gray and Rachel Polacek.
GAME ONE – LEE 0 MC 10
A six-run third inning helped lead the visiting Choctaws to a convincing 10-0 blanking of Lee in game one on Monday.
The top of the lineup did the damage for Mississippi College. Leadoff hitter Haley Thompson was 2 for 3 with three runs scored. Two-hole batter Kat Lee was a perfect 3 for 3 with a pair of runs scored while Tylan Buckley followed with two hits and three RBI. Buckley delivered the only extra-base hit the entire day as she doubled home in the third inning to start the rally.
Beatenbough (16-6) started and worked just two-plus innings before giving way to Moran. She allowed all six runs (five earned) in third on five hits to go along with two strikeouts. Moran allowed two hits and a run in three innings of relief.
Adrianna Morgan (6-5) went all six innings and kept the Lee batters off balance all game long as she gave up just three hits and three walks. The righty carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning and now has sports a 2.90 ERA on the year.