BRISTOL, Tenn. —
Haylee Dye hit a walk-off sacrifice fly in game two to help the King University softball team to a doubleheader split against Lee University Tuesday. The Tornado took the nightcap 6-5 after dropping a 5-4 decision in game one that took eight innings.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Lee 5, King 4 (8 innings); King 6, Lee 5
LOCATION: King Softball Field; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 27-15; Lee 20-17
KING HIGHLIGHTS
- Tinsley Thompson went 2-for-5 on the day, with a double, an RBI and three runs scored.
- Carly Turner drove in three runs.
- Nikole Counts picked up the win in game two, throwing all seven innings, allowing one earned run on seven hits.
GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS
- Both teams scored in the first inning, with the Flames getting an RBI single before King responded in the bottom of the first, using a hit by pitch and fielding error to put runners on the corners.
- The Tornado would then execute a perfect double steal, with Rikkelle Miller swiping second and Thompson taking home, tying the game at 1.
- In the third inning, Thompson led off with a single up the middle, with Turner reaching on a fielding error by the shortstop, again putting runners on the corners.
- This time, it was Miller who picked up an RBI, lacing a single into center field to score Thompson and give King a 2-1 lead.
- Miller then tried the double steal again, but Turner was thrown out at the plate.
- Samantha Helms picked up a single, putting two runners on for Lilly Million, who singled through the right side, scoring Miller before being thrown out at second base to end the inning.
- The Flames claimed the lead in the sixth, scoring three runs on two hits to go ahead 4-3.
- Down to their final three outs, the Tornado were able to conjure up some seventh inning magic, as Lauren Lawson and Dye both reached base to start the inning, with Lawson scoring when Turner hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 4.
- After Miller drew a four pitch walk, the inning came to an end on a groundout to second base.
- Lee scored what would be the game-winning run in the top of the eighth, with the winning hit being a sacrifice fly.
- The Tornado had a scoring chance in the bottom of the eighth, getting runners to first and third before the inning came to a close, with Lee taking the game 5-4.
OF RECORD
- Winning Pitcher: Madison Barnett (7-9) 8.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO
- Losing Pitcher: Marleigh Duncan (7-2) 3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO
GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS
- After two innings of neither team being able to record a hit, it was the Flames who broke through in the third, scoring three runs on three hits to go ahead 3-0.
- King responded in the bottom of the third, when Peyton Day hit a one-out single, moving to second when Dye singled into left field.
- Thompson then drove in a run with a double that was tucked just inside the left field line, which was followed by Turner singling through the right side, scoring both Thompson and Dye, tying the game at three.
- Lee loaded the bases in the fifth, scoring the go-ahead run on a two-out hit by pitch before King was able to get out of the inning on a fielder's choice.
- The Flames added a run in the sixth to take a 5-3 lead.
- The rally started in the bottom of the sixth for King, as Miller singled to left field, advancing to third on a throwing error by the shortstop.
- She scored when Chelsea Sams doubled into left field, bringing the Tornado to within 5-4.
- After stranding a pair of Flames in the top of the seventh, King came up to the plate needing at least one run to stay alive.
- Day started the inning with a single through the left side, before being pinch-ran for by Tori Ryan.
- The next batter was Lawson, who singled to left center field, advancing to second on the throw while Ryan moved up to third base.
- Lawson scored the game-tying run on a wild pitch, with Lawson advancing to third base.
- That was the perfect setup for Dye, who hit a sacrifice fly to center field, with Lawson sliding across the plate with the game-winning run for the Tornado.
OF RECORD
- Winning Pitcher: Nikole Counts (12-7) 7.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO
- Losing Pitcher: Nyah Vogel (12-7) 6.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO
FOR THE FOES
- Ana Macha went 4-for-8 for the Flames, with a triple, two RBI and three runs scored.
- Laney Harris and Sidney Lee also had a pair of RBI each.
- Madison Barnett threw a complete game in the first game, allowing two earned runs while striking out five batters to earn the win.
UP NEXT
- It's a short turnaround for King, who return to Conference Carolinas play Wednesday afternoon, as they host Converse University at 2 p.m.
- Lee will be off until Friday, when they host Christian Brothers University in a Gulf South Conference doubleheader.
