In the first contest, each team earned a single run in regulation, the Lady Flames (11-4) in the top of the fourth, with Spring Hill countering in the sixth.
In the first extra frame, Taylor Horseman scored on an error, followed by an RBI single by Hernanza Ruiz, scoring Savanna Bell. That was all the Lady Flames needed, as Brittany Balough, pitching in relief, retired Spring Hill in order in the bottom of the eighth inning to earn the win.
Caitlin Beshears started the contest in the circle for Lee, surrendering one run on five hits, striking out four and walking one, in 5 1/3 innings. Balough worked the final 2 2/3 innings, without surrendering a hit, striking out one.
Ana Coscorrosa and Charlie Wooden were the leaders at the plate for the Lady Flames, each contributing two hits, with Wooden adding an RBI and Coscorrosa scoring a run. Ruiz went 1-for-4, contributing an RBI as well. Bell, Kaitlyn Grosch, and Danielle Balough rounded out the Lee offensive attack with one hit each.
For Spring Hill, starter Sam Brooks worked all eight innings, surrendering three runs on eight hits. She walked no Lee batters, while striking out five.
Five different players each had a single hit for the losing squad, with Kayla Moran scoring the lone Spring Hill run on an RBI double by Stephanie Fair.
Facing Bethel University in the second contest, the Lady Flames jumped ahead early, scoring one and two runs in the first two innings, respectively. Bethel countered with one run each in the fourth and fifth innings, before the Lady Flames blew the game open, scoring two runs in the fifth and sixth innings to complete the 7-2 win.
The Lee ladies knocked out 13 hits, led by a 3-for-4 performance by Ruiz. The senior shortstop scored two runs, to go with one RBI. Coscorrosa also turned in a solid performance with two hits, a game-high three RBI, and a run scored. Charlie Wooden was the only other Lee player with a multi-hit game, earning three hits in four trips to the plate.
The Lady Flames got a complete game performance in the circle from (Brittany) Balough. The junior hurler gave up two runs, one of them earned on four hits, striking out four and walking two.
For Bethel, Brooke Cary was the leader at the plate, going 1-for-3, knocking in one run and scoring one of her own. Taylor Long pitched the entire contest, getting the loss after giving up five earned runs on 13 hits.
The Lady Flames opened the tournament Friday, with a 5-0 shutout over Thomas University (Ga.), but then dropped a tough 1-0 battle with the University of Houston-Victoria.
Junior Caitlin Beshears was outstanding in the circle for the Lady Flames in game one, pitching all seven innings to earn the shutout win. Beshears scattered five hits, striking out eight and walking none.
The Lady Flames (9-4) opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning. After a walk to Hernanza Ruiz, Charlie Wooden smashed a two-run home run to get Lee on the board.
Savannah Bell doubled in the third inning, scoring on a Danielle Balough single. The Lady Flames added two more insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth, as Tabitha Farrow tripled, scoring Nicole Rodriguez, then scored on a Kaitlyn Grosch ground out, closing the contest at 5-0.
Ana Coscorrosa joined Bell, Balough, Wooden, Rodriguez, and Farrow, with one hit in the contest. Wooden led the Lady Flames with two RBI, followed by Balough, Farrow, and Grosch each with one.
For Thomas (12-14), third baseman Brianna Dworak led the way, going 2-for-3 at the plate. Alexa Fair was credited with the loss in the circle, pitching all six innings, giving up five runs on six hits, striking out two and walking two.
The second contest was a true pitcher’s duel, as both starters went the distance without surrendering an earned run. It was a single unearned run in the second inning, however, that gave the Cougars the win.
For Lee, Brittany Balough pitched all seven innings, scattering five hits, striking out five and walking one. Emily Bergstrom gave up seven hits for the Cougars, striking out four to earn the shutout win.
The Lee ladies had their chances to mount a comeback, stranding eight total runners in the game. Bell and Ruiz each registered two hit games, with (Danielle) Balough, Wooden, and Kelsey Barnes each adding one hit each.
Houston-Victoria had five different players each record a hit, leaving five runners on base. Each team committed two errors in the contest.
The Lady Flames began bracket play Saturday night and hopefully will continue to play this afternoon.
