On Daddy-Daughter day, it was big innings for the Lee University softball team which lead to a double header sweep over visiting Delta State University on Saturday afternoon at Butler Field. It was a five run fourth inning in game one which led to a 7-4 win and then a seven run fourth and a six run fifth which led to a 14-5 win in game two. With the two wins, Lee improved to 18-23 on the season and 12-14 in GSC play.
GAME 1
Delta State took the lead in the first inning as a Kyleigh Wheaton single drove MyCala Helms home.
DSU almost had another run, but Lee got the tag at the plate to end the threat. Neither team really threatened to score again until the 4thinning.
In the bottom of the fourth, Ryle Goodridge led the inning off with a single, Laney Harris then drove her home with a double of her own. After an Annalyn Ormsby single, Ava Perkins doubled to centerfield to score Harris and Ormsby. Alexa Scalzo followed that up with a two-run home run and the Lady Flames had a 5-1 lead.
Lee added a run in the bottom of the fifth when Javaria Smith scored on an error. The final run for the Lady Flames came in the bottom of the sixth when Smith drove Shelby Cole home.
DSI tried to make it interesting when Abbi Cataldo hit a three-run homer to make it 7-4 in the top of the seventh, but Abigail Welbaum came in to pitch in relief and got the final two outs of the game.
Lee out hit DSU 10-7 in game one. Scalzo was 3-for-3 in game one with two RBI and a run scored. Perkins added two RBI. Olivia Tyson got her 11th win of the season while Welbaum earned her second save.
GAME 2
Helms once again gave DSU the lead in the top of the first when she scored on an error from Scalzo. The Lady Flames tied it right back in the bottom half of the first frame when Smith doubled in Scalzo.
The top of the third saw DSU take a 5-1 lead when Calli McConnell drove Helms home and then Alayna Daigrepont hit a three-run home run to extend the lead.
The bottom of the fourth saw the answer from the Lady Flames. Ormsby started it off with a single, the Alyson Jarvi hit a two-run homer. After a DSU pitching change, Hailey Simco reached on an error which allowed Marquila Howell to score. Smith dove in Simco next. After Goodridge singled, Harris hit a three-run home run and Lee led 8-5.
The game ended early in the bottom of the fifth. DSU brought in a new pitcher and Lee took advantage. Perkins walked to ger the inning started. Howell then doubled and Scalzo singled to load the bases. A double from Simco brought in two runs. Smith then walked to load the bases. Goodridge then ended the game with a grand slam giving Lee the 14-5 win.
Five different Lady Flames drove in runs in game two as Lee outhit DSU 12-8. Goodridge had three hits, two runs, and three RBI in the game. Natalie Pruitt got her second win of the season going five innings and giving up five runs on eight hits.
The two teams will play on Sunday, April 21 at 1 PM at Butler Field for the series finale. After the game, the Lady Flames will celebrate senior day.