CLEVELAND, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University softball team dropped two close battles to the Lee Flames on Monday (Feb. 8) afternoon. Lee won game one in a back-and-forth, extra-inning contest, while a four-run rally in the seventh sealed the Flames victory.

Tusculum (1-3) is currently scheduled to visit future South Atlantic Conference opponent Emory & Henry on Saturday (Feb. 13), with the first pitch of the doubleheader to be thrown at 1 p.m.

Game 1: Lee 14, Tusculum 9 (8 innings)
Lee used a trio of big innings to outlast the error-plagued Pioneers in a three-plus hour affair. Kiley Longmire went 3-for-4 with three runs batted in, two doubles, and a walk. Anna Alloway finished 3-for-5 with three runs scored, two RBI, and a home run. Claire Smeltzer was also 3-for-4 with a walk and one run.

Lee batted first as the Pioneers were considered the home team for statistical purposes. All four runs in the opening frame were unearned via a RBI single and three-run homer.

Mya Maddox led off the TU afternoon with a bunt single and promptly stole second. An Alexis Grampp fly out allowed Maddox to advance 60 feet. Alloway hustled out an infield single while Maddox scampered home. Smeltzer followed with her own single in the dirt, loading the bases. Emily Sappington hit a sacrifice fly to left field, buying Alloway enough time to sprint home.

Tusculum struck again in the third inning. A double by Grampp, a Longmire walk and a Smeltzer single filled the base path for Sappington. Everyone was safe after the infield single from the designated player.

The Pioneers took their first lead of the contest after a three-run fourth frame. Hannah Hughes was the first one up and was plunked by the third pitch she saw. Maddox ground out, advancing the shortstop. Grampp was also hit by a pitch and Alloway lined a pitch down the right field line to load the bases. Longmire stepped up with a bases-clearing double, bringing the score to 6-4 in TU's favor.

Lee responded with four runs in the fifth via a lead-off homer, an error, and a single. The sixth also saw an unearned run cross the plate for the Flames.

The Pioneers got three across in the bottom half to tie the game. Alloway launched a no-doubter over the left field fence, the first of five consecutive hits off of a TU bat. Longmire doubled, while Smeltzer, Sappington, and Chloe Freischmidt singled. Claire Crout knocked a sacrifice fly to right, plating Smeltzer.

The Flames broke loose for the final time in the top of the eighth inning to seal the win, scoring five runs on five hits.

Delilah Malczewski (0-2) is credited with the loss in relief. The senior gave up eight runs (four earned) on nine hits with three strikeouts. Savannah Foster started the contest, going four innings of six-run (two earned), six-hit ball, while walking four and striking out a pair.

Game 2: Lee 6, Tusculum 5
Tusculum held a sizable lead going into the seventh, but the Flames roared back to overtake the Pioneers. Longmire and Smeltzer combined for the team's four hits, while Alloway was responsible for three walks.

Each team broke through the scoring column in their respective half of the inning. Lee's was via an unearned run, while Smeltzer drove in Alloway on a RBI single.

TU added two more in the third. Alloway was clipped by a pitch and advanced to second on a wild toss. Longmire reached in the same manner. Smeltzer hit a clutch shot through the left side to score the lead runner. Sappington earned a free-pass to load the bases. Crout was also hit by a pitch to move her teammates up a base, plating Longmire.

In the fourth inning, Grampp reached after the right fielder dropped a fly ball, advancing on a wild pitch. Alloway patiently drew another walk, while Longmire doubled to left center.

Both squads also scored in the fifth. The Flames tallied yet another unearned run, while Maddox flew around the bases. She was hit by a pitch, stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher, and slid in home after a wild pitch.

Down 5-2, Lee mounted a comeback, scoring four in the seventh.

Sappington (0-1) saw her first action in the circle for the Pioneers. In seven innings, the sophomore relented four earned runs on eight hits, two walks, and nine strikeouts.