April 23, 2007

CLEVELAND, Tenn. - After surviving a couple of narrow decisions in the first two games of the Southern States Athletic Conference Softball Tournament, the No. 11 Lee University Lady Flames upset No. 6 Shorter College, 8-7 in the final of the winner's bracket and then claimed the crown by downing Faulkner University, 6-1 on Saturday afternoon.

Senior Jay Hinton was the hitting star of the tournament. She smashed a two-run home run (her third of the tourney) and sophomore pitcher Brittany Rowe only allowed a single run in seven innings in leading the Lee (40-10) to the title.

The Lady Flames scored two runs in the first inning and added another run to carry a 3-0 lead into the third inning. Faulkner University (22-31) tallied a single run in the third inning to pull within two runs, but would be the closest the Lady Eagles would get. One run in the third inning and two more in the fourth inning were more than enough for the Lady Flames.

Hinton would finish the game with her lone hit being a home run. She added a sacrifice fly and three RBI.

Maranda Mounce, Danielle Everett and Bobbi Easler each recorded two hits in the win. Mounce and Easler each knocked in a run, while Everett scored two runs.

Emily Broyles and Casie Connolly both hit a double and Caitlin Haley was credited with an RBI single.

Rowe 6-2) scattered five singles over seven innings of work to get the win. She gave up one run, walked three and struck out six Lady Eagles.

For Faulkner (22-31), Eden Harris was 2-for-3 and Katie Godfrey had an RBI single.

Kimberly Hodge started and surrendered four runs (two earned) on seven hits before being relieved after three innings. Amber Gregory gave up three hits in three innings and gave up two runs and a walk.

With the win, the Lady Flames join regular-season champion Shorter College in earning an automatic bid to the NAIA Region XIII Tournament in Orange Beach, Ala.