MONTICELLO, Ark.,
- After dropping the early game to host
Arkansas-Monticello, the University of North
Alabama softball team rebounded to knock off
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Sunday in the final day
of the UAM Softball Classic.
Less than 24
hours after defeating the Cotton Blossoms in
a last-at-bat effort, the Lions fell victim
to a rally by UAM. North Alabama led 3-2
before a four-run fifth inning by the home
team proved to be the difference in the
game.
The Lions did
all their scoring in the third inning,
getting three runs off four hits. Sarah
Whitlow highlighted the inning with a
two-RBI single that scored Lindsey Greene
and Kim Lee and gave UNA a 3-1 lead. UAM
answered in the bottom of the inning with a
single run to cut the deficit to 3-2.
In the fifth,
the Cotton Blossoms sent eight batters to
the plate and got a three-run home run by
Jenny Dunn to take the lead. Lindsey Randall
also had an RBI-single as UAM improved to
6-14 on the year.
Whitlow and
Andrea Palmer each finished the game with a
2-for-3 showing at the plate. Anna Ard (1-4)
suffered the loss on the mound, getting
seven strikeouts and allowing seven hits in
4.2 innings of work.
Against UAPB,
the Lions picked up their first mercy-rule
victory of the season with an 8-0 win in
five innings. Megan Niesel recorded the
complete-game shutout to improve to 5-1 on
the season.
The junior
pitched all five innings, scattering three
hits and striking out eight batters.
Offensively,
the Lions scored two runs in the top of the
first inning and three in the second to take
a 5-0 lead. A three-run fifth inning evoked
the mercy rule and gave UNA the win.
Greene went
3-for-4 at the plate, while Lindsey Bates
and Krystal Elliott each went 2-for-3.
Whitlow finished the game 2-for-4 with two
runs scored and a pair of RBI.
The split gives
North Alabama a 9-6 record on the season.
The Lions will return home next weekend to
host the 2008 South Region Crossover. UNA
will play fourth-ranked Florida Southern in
a double-header beginning at 4 p.m. Saint
Leo will play Alabama-Huntsville twice,
beginning at noon.
The next day,
UAH and Florida Southern will face off at
noon with UNA and Saint Leo playing twice at
4 p.m.
Printable Game
Statistics - Arkansas Monticello - Game 14
Printable Game
Statistics - Arkansas Pine Bluff - Game 15
