FLORENCE – Lee produced eight runs off 13 hits while limiting the University of North Alabama softball team to a single unearned run in an 8-1 series-clinching win over the Lions on Sunday. With the loss, UNA falls to 31-8 overall with a 16-7 mark in Gulf South Conference play.

The series loss is the first for UNA since dropping all three games at top-ranked Valdosta State in early March. On Sunday, North Alabama had no answer for Lee's Angie Hughes (13-5), who limited the Lions to one hit through six innings. The lone UNA run came in the bottom of the seventh inning. Libby Olinger drew a lead-off walk and reached second on a single by Brittany Gillison. Olinger scored on the play on a fielding error by the Flames' centerfielder.

At the plate, Lee (28-14 overall, 16-10 GSC) was aggressive throughout the contest. The Flames had their lead-off runner reach base in six of the seven innings. After taking a 3-0 lead into the fifth, the visitors put the game out of reach with four solo home runs in the frame. The third homer chased UNA starter Hillary Carpenter (17-3) from the circle. She finished the game with six runs on nine hits in 4.1 innings.

Ashton Edwards finished the game, surrendering two runs off four hits in 2.2 innings of work. Lee did not have a batter strike out the entire game. Gillison and Brooklynn Clark provided the only hits for UNA.

North Alabama will now turn its attention to another three-game GSC series at Mississippi College. The two teams will play a double-header at 4 p.m. on April 18, on the MC campus in Clinton, Miss. A single game is slated for 2 p.m. the following day.