9FLORENCE, Ala. (March 16, 2024) – The University of North Alabama softball team hosted Lipscomb on the diamond for the first time in program history, splitting the first two games of a three game set Saturday to open Atlantic Sun Conference play.
The Lions had a complete game shutout from junior transfer Alivia Wilken in the first game, winning 3-0. The second game had more offense from North Alabama, but Lipscomb scored four runs in the seventh inning to steal away a 5-4 victory in the night cap.
The Lions are on the hunt for their first ASUN opening series win since 2021 against Bellarmine. UNA will also seek to win its third-straight series against Lipscomb, as the Bisons have not taken two of three from UNA since 2019.
UNA moves to 19-9 on the season, while Lipscomb is now 11-16. Both teams are 1-1 in ASUN play.
Game 1 — North Alabama 3, Lipscomb 0
Wilken continued her run of dominance in the circle, totaling her fourth complete game shutout of the season in a 3-0 victory.
The Buckhorn and Wallace State product now owns a 2.33 ERA over 88.2 innings — ranking among the top five pitchers in the nation in innings pitched. On Saturday, she allowed just three hits and two walks, but struck out seven and stranded multiple runners at third base.
While Lipscomb was stopped thrice on opportunities with runners in scoring position, UNA took advantage of a few early opportunities with solo runs in the first, second and fourth innings. It started with an infield single by Felicity Frame, who came around to score on a stolen base and a pair of groundouts.
True freshman Briley Dover started the second frame with a solo blast to left field, marking her third homer of the season. Two innings later, senior Jaiden Farnetti placed a perfect gapper into right center for an RBI triple to score Haven Kirby.
The Lions tallied five hits off Lipscomb's Laine Barefoot, making the most of Dover's homer, Farnetti's triple, two hits from Frame and one from Kirby.
Lipscomb threatened a few times, but were robbed of a potential rally in the fifth after a diving catch by Felicity Frame in left field ended any thoughts of an RBI hit.
Pitchers of Record
W – Alivia Wilken (9-4)
L – Laine Barefoot (3-7)
S – None
Game 2 — Lipscomb 5, North Alabama 4
The Lions led for most of game two after taking a 2-1 lead in the first frame, but a seventh inning rally by Lipscomb flipped a 4-1 deficit into a 5-4 lead. In the home half, Jones led off with a single and moved over to third, but was stranded on a called strikeout near the inside portion of the plate.
The Bisons started with back-to-back singles by Macyn Kirby and Josey Polk to take a 1-0 lead, but the Lions roared back with a single by Sidney Bevis — who made her home debut today — and a homer by Jones.
UNA extended its 2-1 lead in the third inning, as Bevis led off with a single but was erased on a fielder's choice. With Jones now on first, Kirby singled her over and Lillyanna Cartee drew a full count walk to load the bases. This forced a pitching change for Lipscomb, but the Lions still tacked on two with a walk by Farnetti and a single by Raegan Clem to tack on a pair.
Both pitchers went to work after that, as Cassidy Duskin threw five scoreless innings for UNA after the Bisons struck in the first. Lipscomb's new pitcher was Macey Ogle, who had pitched just 12.0 innings on the season prior to today. She kept her team in striking distance, as Lipscomb struck for four runs in the seventh.
The go-ahead runs came in on a two-RBI single from Kaylyn Belfield. With the bases loaded and two outs, a flyout to Bevis in right field stranded the bases loaded. UNA attemped a seventh-inning rally with Jones's leadoff single, but the tying run ended 60 feet away.
The Lions totaled more hits in both games, including nine in the second game with multi-hit days from Jones, Clem and Bevis.
Pitchers of Record
W – Macey Ogle (1-1)
L – Cassidy Duskin (6-4)
S – Ryleigh Sapp (1)
COMING UP NEXT
The series will be decided Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Lions will end their 10-game home stand this Wednesday at 4 p.m. against Tennessee State.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
