GULF SHORES, Ala. | The Tuskegee University softball team dropped the final two games of the D2 Gulf Coast Invitational on Saturday, falling to Lee 14-5 in the opener and to Flagler 12-1 in the nightcap.
 
Although Tuskegee (0-5) lost both games on the day, they were able to collect 17 hits in the two games and scored six runs.
 
On the day, Jamaica Williams and Kaylin Finch each picked up three hits; while multiple players picked up a pair of hits in the two games – including Chante Warner, Adrienne Eaddy and Cari Driver.
 
Game 1
 
In the opener, Lee used five homeruns to down Tuskegee 14-5 as they score a pair of runs in each of the first and second innings before putting the game away with a three-run seventh.
 
Lee (5-3) got homeruns off the bat of  NiaRaye Ceasar in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead, before getting the first of two from Hallie Davis in the sixth inning. The Flames hit a pair of two run shots in the seventh to pull away when Emily Dagnan hit one and followed by another by Davis. The final homerun came via a three-run variety by Stevie Baird with two outs in the seventh.
 
Tuskegee was able to get their runs in the first and second innings to keep the game close early.
 
In the first inning, Tuskegee scored when Adrienne singled and reached second on a single by Finch. She scored on a single through the left side by Williams. They scored again in the second using three stolen bases – a pair from Haley Plato – and were able to score when Roneshia Rudolph and Plato pulled a double steal.
 
Tuskegee was able to add another run in the third when Plato and Driver singled, before Warner drove in Plato with one out on a double off the left field fence. They added a couple more runs in the inning off a groundout and a single through the left side for the final margin.
 
In the game one loss, Warner led the way picking up a pair of hits with a double in three plate appearances. Finch and Williams each added a pair of hits for Tuskegee, who collected 11 hits in the game.
 
Tori Beth Garner (0-1) suffered the loss going 6.1 innings and allowing 11 runs – 10 earned – off of 12 hits while striking out one.
 
Game 2
 
In the nightcap, Tuskegee fell behind early as Flagler put three on the board in the third inning highlighted by a homerun off the bat of Whitney Woodard.
 
The Lady Golden Tigers were able to get on the board in the fourth to trim the deficit to 5-1 at the time. After a leadoff double by Eaddy, Tuskegee looked set for a big inning but they were quickly in the hole after a double play wiped the runners off the base paths.
 
However, three straight singles led to an RBI single by Rudolph that plated the first run for Tuskegee. Flagler was able to put the game away in the sixth inning with seven runs.
 
Finch (0-1) suffered the loss in her first career start, going six innings.
 
Tuskegee returns to action on the road in a doubleheader, facing the University of West Alabama on Wednesday afternoon.
 
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