Pitching for the third time Saturday, Brittany Balough worked the entire game for the Lady Flames, giving up eight earned runs on 16 hits. Ruiz earned the lone hit for Lee in the loss.
Tori Gehlert and Whitni Howell led Columbia with three hits each. Eight different players scored runs, with Rachel Coleman and Ashley Brawner leading the team with two RBI each.
Valerie Teter worked the complete game shutout for the Cougars, striking out 13 and walking one.
The Lady Flames closed out bracket play Sunday morning, dropping a 4-1 decision to Central Methodist University. The Lee ladies once again struggled to get their bats started, earning just four hits in the loss to move to 3-3 overall for the tournament.
Both teams earned a single run in the second inning. For Lee, Wooden scored on a Grosch single to give the Lady Flames their lone tally. Central Methodist countered with an RBI single from Kayla Yount.
The Eagles scored three runs in the bottom of the third, thanks to a three-run home run from Stephanie Sullivant. The third baseman was the leader at the plate for Central Methodist, going 2-for-3, with three RBIs and two runs scored.
The Lady Flames return home for more non-conference play, hosting Bryan College Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m. The Lee ladies resume conference play on the road next week, traveling to Shorter University March 22, Emmanuel College on the 25th and Southern Wesleyan on the 26th.
