CHATTANOOGA -- The UVA Wise softball team went 1-1 on their opening day at the Lee Invitational as they saw host Lee come back in the bottom of the sixth to sneak out a 2-1 win. The Highland Cavaliers then used a pair of two-run innings that gave UVA Wise the 9-4 win over Young Harris in their second game of the day.

The tournament is being played at Frost Stadium on the University of Chattanooga campus.

INSIDE THE MATCHUPS
Result Game 1 – Lee 2, UVA Wise 1
Result Game  2 – UVA Wise 9, Young Harris 4
Records: UVA Wise (2-2); Lee (2-2); Young Harris (2-2)
Location: Chattanooga, TN | Frost Stadium

GAME ONE
- UVA Wise recorded three hits, including a double, but Lee capitalized on six hits and two runs to secure the win.
- In the fourth inning, UVA Wise broke the scoreless tie when Kaylynn Baker doubled to right center, and Kylee Holt came in as a pinch runner. Savannah Johnson then delivered with an RBI single down the left field line, allowing Holt to score and giving UVA Wise a 1–0 lead.
- In the fifth inning, Lee tied the game. Eva Armstrong singled and advanced to third on a fielding error. Hayden Gardner's sacrifice fly to left field brought Armstrong home, leveling the score at 1–1 after five innings.
- Lee took the lead in the sixth inning. Addi Lewis singled and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Reese Haun's sacrifice fly to center field brought Lewis home, putting Lee ahead 2–1 and the Flames held on for the win.
- Chloe Murphy pitched a complete game in her collegiate debut, logging 6 innings where she allowed 6 hits and 2 runs, 1 earned. She struck out 6 batters and issued 4 walks over 104 pitches, with 65 going for strikes.
- Savannah Johnson recorded one hit and drove in a run during her three plate appearances. Kaylynn Baker contributed with two hits, including a double, advancing twice on base hits.

GAME TWO
- The Cavs collected 13 hits in the game while keeping Young Harris to just six, and recorded key runs in the fifth and sixth innings to take control of the contest.
- UVA Wise opened the game with a strong start, as Taylor Noe walked and later scored on a single by Kaylynn Baker, putting the visitors on the board first. Young Harris was unable to respond in the bottom of the first, with the team retiring in order.
- In the third inning, the Highland Cavaliers capitalized on errors and timely hitting. Baker doubled and scored on a fielding error, and Mataya Ausmus delivered a crucial two-RBI single to extend the lead. The Mountain Lions managed to score two unearned runs in the bottom half, closing the gap to 4-2 after three innings.
- The fifth inning saw the Cavs regain momentum with Noe's two-RBI single, adding to the lead. Young Harris was held scoreless, maintaining the advantage for the Highland Cavaliers at 6-4 following the inning.
- The Cavs continued to pull away in the sixth inning. A single by Ashley Morgan drove in a run, and Ausmus added another with a groundout, pushing the lead further. The defensive effort was effective, keeping the Mountain Lions off the scoreboard in their half of the inning.
- In the final inning, Savannah Johnson's RBI single added another run for the Cavaliers. Olivia Shockley secured the win by closing out the game with no runs allowed in the seventh, resulting in a final score of 9-4 in favor of the Cavs.
- Angelina Branch pitched 4 innings for the Cavaliers, allowing 5 hits, 4 runs, none of which were earned, while striking out 3 and walking 3 in first appearance as a Cavalier. Despite giving up several hits, Branch managed to keep the ball inside the park, as no extra-base hits were recorded against her. Shockley entered in relief during the fourth inning, pitching 3 scoreless innings and surrendering just 1 hit while striking out 4 batters.
- Noe drove in two runs and reached base twice on walks. Johnson recorded two hits and one RBI in her five plate appearances. Ausmus collected three RBIs with a hit in four at-bats. Madison Anglin registered three hits, including a double, and scored twice.

UP NEXT
UVA Wise will play two more games in Chattanooga on Saturday, as they play West Florida at 1:30 p.m. and Union (TN) at 4 p.m.
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