FLORENCE
– Despite being swept by Alabama-Huntsville
at home Saturday, the University of North
Alabama softball team clinched a berth in
the upcoming Gulf South Conference
tournament thanks to a pair of losses by
West Georgia on the same day.
The
third-ranked Chargers dominated UNA in the
8-0, 7-0 sweep and remained atop the GSC
East Division standings with a 15-4
conference record. The fourth-place Lions
fall to 24-18 overall with a 12-9 mark in
league play. With two losses to West Florida
on Saturday, fifth-place West Georgia falls
to 5-14 in the GSC and is eliminated from
post-season play.
The top four
teams from each division advance to the
conference tournament on May 2-4 in
Southaven, Miss.
In the first
game on Saturday, UAH pitcher Alex Lewis
(10-1) pitched a one-hit shutout while the
Chargers jumped out to an early 6-0 lead and
never let up. A four-run first inning and a
two-run second gave the visitors a lead they
would never relinquish.
Megan Niesel
took the loss on the mound after allowing
six runs in the first two innings. UAH added
two more runs in the top of the sixth, and
the game ended via the mercy rule when the
Lions failed to score in the bottom of the
inning.
Jennifer Sharp
got the Lions’ only hit of the game and also
drew a walk to represent the team’s only two
base runners of the game.
UNA managed six
hits in the second game, but again failed to
score in the 7-0 loss. Sage Woodham improved
to 17-4 after tossing seven scoreless
innings with three strikeouts.
Lindsey Greene
went 2-for-4 to lead the Lions at the plate,
but UNA left seven runners on base. Sabrina
Roberts (9-5) took the loss after pitching
six innings, allowing seven runs off 14
hits.
UNA will travel
to Livingston on Saturday for a GSC
double-header against West Alabama. The next
day, the Lions will close out the regular
season with a road series at West Georgia.
Printable Game
Statistics - Game 41 - UAH
Printable Game
Statistics - Game 42 - UAH
