FLORENCE – The University of North Alabama softball team used an offense outburst in the opener and a complete-game pitching effort in the night cap to pick up two victories over Samford Tuesday afternoon at the Hilda B. Anderson Softball Complex. The 8-6, 3-2 sweep gives UNA a 13-3 record on the season.

In the first game, Samford scored three runs in the top of the first inning and added another in the second to grab an early 4-0 lead. The Lions responded with six unanswered run over the next two innings and never trailed again.

A solo home run by Harley Stokes started the rally to lead off the bottom of the second inning. Kalli Daniel followed with a double before Haven Kirby hit a two-run homer to centerfield to cut the deficit to a single run.

Three more runs in the bottom of the third gave the Lions the lead for good. After RBI-singles by Meleah Hargett and Daniel put UNA ahead 5-4, Hargett scored on an error to extend the lead.

The Bulldogs got within one with a single run in the top of the fourth inning. UNA answered with runs in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings. Georgia Land led off the fifth with a solo shot to left center. Sidney Bevis then led off the sixth with a single and later scored on Hargett's second RBI of the game.

UNA finished the opener with 15 hits. Daniel was 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Jones was 3-for-4 with a double and two singles. Bevis, Hargett and Stokes also each went 2-for-4 while Kirby was 2-for-3 at the plate.

Maci Birdyshaw got the pitching victory after tossing six innings in relief. She scattered seven hits, allowing three runs off three hits with five strikeouts to improve to 6-0 on the year.In the second game, it was Sophie Golliver's time to shine in the circle. The sophomore transfer from Murfreesboro, Tenn., worked all seven innings, scattering five hits and allowing two runs. She struck out three and walking only one to improve to 4-0 on the season.

UNA struck first with two runs in the bottom of the third inning. Another RBI-single by Jones started the scoring. Bevis also singled to reach base and later scored on a Samford error to give the Lions a 2-0 lead.

After the Bulldogs cut the lead in half in the top of the fifth, UNA scored again in the bottom of the frame. Kirby reached on an error and scored on Bevis' single through the right side. Samford added a run in the top of the sixth but could get no closer.

Bevis and Jones each went 2-for-3 with an RBI to lead the way.

UNA will be back in action this weekend  with five games at the Alabama State Black and Gold Invitational. The Lions will open play Friday at 11:30 a.m. against Eastern Kentucky.