Madison Barnett pitched 9.2 innings, allowing just three runs while striking out 11.
photo by Michael Wade
The Lee softball team saw its season come to an end on Thursday evening with a 2-1 loss to No. 14 Alabama Huntsville in the Gulf South Conference Tournament from Choccolocco Park.
The Lady Flames rallied to load the bases in the bottom of the seventh with just one out before lining into a game-ending double play as the Chargers shortstop, Lila Young snared Laney Harris' line drive and quickly stepped on second to end the Lady Flames season.
"I'm really proud of the way this team came together and fought to get better each day," said Lee head coach Emily Russell.
"We had a great group of seniors, some that stuck it out for five years to lead us, and then we saw some big growth out of our talented freshman class. I think we came here and played two really good games. We just happened to run up against two of the top teams in the league and in the nation."
Each team scored in the fourth inning. Shelby Booker tripled home two runs in the top of the fourth to give the Chargers a 2-0 lead. The Lady Flames answered back in the bottom of the frame as Kylie Bohl singled to left to plate Harris.
Taylor De Adder (4-4) started and went 3.2 innings. She allowed two runs on two hits, struck out two and worked around four walks. Madison Barnett, the game one starter, game on in relief and left two runner stranded as she struck out a batter to end the Chargers rally. Barnett went on to pitch the final 3.1 innings. She gave up just two hits and struck out a pair.
Layton Murphy (15-5) went the distance for Alabama Huntsville. She allowed eight hits, one run, struck out two and walked two.
Eight different Lee players tallied singles in the contest. The Lady Flames finish the 2021 season with a 17-23 record. Alabama Huntsville improves to 31-11 and will play West Georgia on Friday.
"I'm proud of the senior class and the way they invested with such faith for four or five years. Their time here made a difference and the growth we have made is due to the way they loved so big. I'm excited for their future and for the future of our program," concluded Russell.
GAME 1 – LEE 1 VSU 3
It was a classic pitcher's duel to open the Gulf South Conference Tournament as the No. 8 Blazers edged the Lee softball team, 3-1 on Thursday morning.
Freshman Madison Barnett (7-8) gave a gutsy performance in the circle as she limited the league's top offense to just six hits while striking out nine in six innings of work. Barnett walked two batters in the first but did not surrender another free pass the rest of the game. In 105 innings this season she has walked just 17 batters.
"I thought Madison did a really good job. She worked around some nerves in the first inning and then she settled in against a really good offense," said head coach Emily Russell. "Offensively, we came up against the top pitcher in our league and she threw well but we had some chances which I think gives us some confidence moving into tonight."
Samantha Richards showcased why she was named the GSC Pitcher of the Year as she tossed a complete game, allowing just one run on six hits to go along with 11 punch outs. Richards worked out of a two-on, no out jam in the first inning to keep the Lady Flames off the board early.
Annalyn Ormsby ripped a two-run single to left to get the Lee on the board in the sixth. All-GSC shortstop Kayla Louie set the table with a leadoff single and came around to score. Louie and Lily Hatcher went 4-for-6 at the top of the order for the Lady Flames.
Valdosta State scored a run in the first on an RBI double by Aniston Gano. Nicole Pennington made it 2-0 in the third as she drilled her nation-leading 22nd home run to center. The final Blazer tally came in the fifth on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Pennington.