JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University softball earned a double-header split versus Lee University Saturday at Fesmire Field. Union defeated Lee University 8-7 in the first game and fell 22-2 to Lee in the second game. Union is now 8-13 on the season and 3-10 in the Gulf South Conference. Lee University is now 14-15 overall and 6-8 in conference play.
Lee jumped on Union in the first, scoring two runs. Union answered with
Haley Barnette's RBI single, scoring
Samantha McDaniel in the bottom of the first.
Emily Bennett stole home in the bottom of the second to tie the ball game at two. Lee scored four more runs in the fifth, but the Lady Bulldogs were able to answer by scoring five more runs in the sixth inning to take the lead. RBI's from
Sarah Smith, McDaniel, and
Gabby Morris drove in the first three runs. Then a line drive 2-run home run over the left field fence from Barnette capped Union's big inning. Lee scored a run in the seventh to tie the game again, 7-7. However, Union's McDaniel's singled in Kendel Kelsh for the game winning run.
Gabby Morris (5-5) earned the win after tossing 2.1 innings in relief. She gave up three hits and one run.
Taylor Griffith started, tossing 4.2 innings. She gave up seven hits, six runs with four strikeouts. Union had eight hits, Barnette led with four hits, including one home run and three RBI. McDaniel and Morris had two hits each.
Lee dominated the second game scoring 22 runs on 21 hits. Lee led 8-0 going into the fifth inning, looking for the run-rule. Lee then exploded for 14 runs in the top of the fifth to lead 22-0. Union's two runs came in the bottom of the fifth from when
Rosie Red scored on a double play, followed by a bases loaded walk to
Kristen Pickens, driving in
Emily Bennett.
Parker Davis (0-7) started for the Lady Bulldogs and tossed 3.0 innings giving up six hits, two earned runs, with two walks and one strike out.
Ashley Graves came in for relief and pitched one inning giving up two earned runs off three hits with one walk. Kelsh pitched two-thirds of an inning for the Lady Bulldogs and gave up 12 earned runs off nine hits with three walks. Griffith finished the ball game for Union pitching one-third of an inning giving up one earned run and three hits with one strikeout.
Up next for Union is another home game against Lee University, March 18 at 1 p.m.
-UNION-