MONTGOMERY – The University of North Alabama softball team managed only one run off four hits during a pair of losses Saturday at the Alabama State Stinger Classic in Montgomery. After dropping a 4-1 decision to Western Carolina, the Lions lost a 9-0 decision to Notre Dame to fall to 1-2 on the year.

In the opener, UNA struck first with a single run in the top of the third inning. The Catamounts, however, plated three runs in the bottom of the frame before adding an insurance run in the fifth inning.

Danielle de Ruiter scored for the Lions. She singled and reached second before an RBI-single by Lexie Harper gave UNA the 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the inning Western Carolina two hits, two walks and two stolen bases to grab a 3-1 lead. Another RBI-single in the fifth accounted for the final score.  

North Alabama was held to three hits, all coming in the first three innings. Maci Birdyshaw (0-1) took the pitching loss, working 4.1 innings. She allowed four runs off four hits and added three walks and four strikeouts.

The offensive struggled continued for UNA against the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame's Alexis Holloway retired the first nine batters, then took a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Georgia Land led off the frame with a double to right field. Holloway, however, recovered to retire the next three batters to get the win.

At the plate, Notre Dame started the scoring with an unearned run in the top of the second inning. After a leadoff single, back-to-back stolen bases and a UNA error gave the Fighting Irish a 1-0 lead.

A two-run triple and another RBI-single made the score 4-0 in the third inning. The score remained the same until a five-run sixth inning gave Notre Dame the mercy-rule victory. The Irish sent nine batters to the plate in the frame, getting five runs off three hits with two more errors and three more stolen bases.

For the game, UNA committed four errors while Notre Dame had five stolen bases.

Megan Garst took the loss in the circle. She pitched the first 5.1 innings, allowing three earned runs off nine hits.

North Alabama will remain in Montgomery to face Tennessee Tech again on Sunday. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.