March 30, 2006

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - In a year of major accomplishments for Lee University (Tenn.) athletics, Emily Russell's softball team has joined the elite list. The Lady Flames, ranked 7th-nationally by the NAIA, pinned a 5-1 defeat on University of Tennessee-Chattanooga in the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday evening.

Lee had to settle for a split with the NCAA Division I club. The Lady Flames had their chances in the second game, but four errors helped the Lady Mocs walk away with a 9-7 win. Records show that this was the first win over a very strong NCAA Division I UTC program in softball.

Don't be surprised if coach Russell tries to find a way to convince senior Jennifer Pendergraft's parents (Scott and Jodie) to stay in the Cleveland area until the 2006 season ends. From Salem, Ore., the Lee first baseman has been pounding the softball like never before as her parents looked on.

Pendergraft stunned the Lady Mocs and the large Frost Field crowd with a three-run home run in the first inning of the first game as Lee put four huge runs on the board. However, her evening wasn't complete. She blasted her second round-tripper in game two and almost helped her teammates pull off the sweep.

Lee made the best of eight hits in the first game. Emily Broyles stroked a pair of singles, while Maranda Mounce, Jay Jinton, Bobbi Easler, Danielle Everett and Lauren Hilliard also hit safely. Hinton scored a pair of runs and Kelly Golden joined Easler and Pendergraft with the other scores.

The Lady Flames (27-6) heading into a key Southern States Athletic Conference twinbill with Faulkner University (Ala.) on Saturday, got another excellent pitching performance from senior Charli Duff. The power-balling righthander allowed the (20-23) Lady Mocs only six hits and fanned five in going the distance. In fact, UTC's only run came on a passed ball with the bases loaded in the fourth inning.

In the nightcap, UTC's first eight runs were all unearned. A bases-loaded error by the outfield broke open a 3-3 game. Lady Moc Ashleigh Bull followed the huge error with a two-run double.

Lee had seven hits in the defeat. Hinton had three hits each, including a double. Pendregraft had a hit to go with her homer, while Golden and Easler had the other safe knocks. Mounce, Golden and Hinton each scored twice.

Alyssa Ashley was the starting and losing pitcher for Lee. In 3 2/3 innings, Alyssa surrendered seven hits and no earned runs. Lindsay Ashley came on in the fourth and pitched 1 1/3 innings, while Brittany Rowe pitched a perfect final inning.

JayCee Wood went all the way for the Lady Mocs. She evened her record at 10-10 and recorded six strike outs.

"This was probably my biggest win," said coach Russell as she proudly represented her club in front of the TV camera after the opening-game win. "Everyone in this area knows the type of program UTC fields. We enjoy coming down here to play. It is good for our program and fans."

Russell said Pendergraft has been "just killing the ball." She has blasted four home runs this week, much to the delight of her visiting family. She had five RBI against the Lady Mocs and has knocked in 12 runners in 3-out-of-4 wins this week.