FLORENCE, Ala. (March 20, 2024) – The bats were working for the University of North Alabama softball team Wednesday at Hilda B. Anderson Softball Stadium, as the Lions peppered Tennessee State with 13 hits in a 10-4 victory in Florence.
The 10 runs and 13 hits mark the second-highest single-game totals for North Alabama this season, falling one hit and one run short of UNA's 11-3 win over Maryland Eastern Shore earlier this month.
The midweek tilt started with a pair of runs by UNA in the first inning to take the lead. Later, Tennessee State added three runs in the middle innings, but still trailed 4-3 in the middle of the fifth. With the go-ahead run in scoring position and two outs, reliever Kyleigh Pitzer got the final out and kept it a one run game.
The bottom of the fifth is where the game begin to turn, as the Lions exploded for six runs on six hits to take a 10-3 lead. The main blow came from senior outfielder McKenzie Patterson, who jacked a three-run homer to left field to turn a 7-3 lead into a 10-3 lead.
TSU avoided the run-rule loss by stranding the bases loaded and added a run in the seveth inning, but were unable to respond to the UNA rally.
Nine different Lions recorded a hit on Wednesday, led by two-hit days from Felicity Frame, Sydney Harris, Briley Dover and Becca Benton. Benton and junior infielder Hailey Jones each had a double, while Patterson had the lone homer for either team.
All 10 of UNA's runs came from different players.
Harris had two RBI hits, while Dover, Sidney Bevis, Raegan Clem and Haven Kirby also drove in a run.
In the circle, junior Cassidy Duskin got the start and earned the win, while Pitzer recorded the two inning save. The pair allowed just four runs on six hits en route to victory.
Prior to Wednesday's game, UNA Athletics welcomed the Anderson family and held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the recent renovations to Hilda B. Anderson Softball Stadium, including the addition of FieldTurf this season.
Pitchers of Record
W – Cassidy Duskin (7-4)
L – Reina Castillo (4-3)
S – Kyleigh Pitzer (1)
The Lions are back in action this weekend against Queens. The games are currently scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 23-24, but could shift due to weather. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned on RoarLions.com and UNA Softball social media for updates.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
