CONWAY, Ark. (April 13, 2024) – The University of North Alabama softball team opened an important three-game set at Central Arkansas on Saturday with a doubleheader split, winning game one by a 2-1 final before slipping 8-0 in game two.

The two sides remain tied in the Atlantic Sun Conference standings with the split, moving to 8-6 heading into a pivotal rubber match tomorrow at 1 p.m.

Junior transfer Alivia Wilken tossed her 15th complete game of the season, taking a shutout into the sixth inning of a 2-1 win. Game two went to the home side, as pitcher Julia Petty kept the Lions at bay and the offense rallied to win it in the fifth.

A long 20-game on-base streak came to an end for true freshman Briley Dover, who had two hits in the first game before going 0-for-2 in the night cap. The 20 game streak is the longest for any Lion this season. Dover also had her seven-game hit streak end today.

UNA moves to 27-14 overall, while UCA becomes 17-23.
 

Game 1 — North Alabama 2, Central Arkansas 1

For the 15th time in 19 starts, Wilken pitched a complete game quality start. She allowed just one run on four hits and a walk while striking out six.

While Wilken twirled another gem, the UNA offense did enough in the early innings to take the pressure off. UNA totaled seven hits, including three doubles. Dover and junior Lillyanna Cartee each had multi-hit days.

The scoring started in the second inning as sophomore Becca Benton ripped a double off the fence and later scored on a double in the gap by Cartee.

In the next inning, UNA extended the lead to 2-0 with an RBI double by Hailey Jones to bring home Sidney Bevis. This followed a half-inning where Wilken struck out the side, keeping momentum with the road team in purple and black.

Wilken did not allow a hit until a bunt single reached one in the fourth. UCA threated again in the sixth, scoring one with a two-out single to make it 2-1. The tying and go-ahead runs were stranded on base as Bevis dashed into foul territory and caught the third out on the run.

UNA nearly extended the lead again in the sixth, but pinch hitter Grace Gregory was thrown out at home on a would-be RBI single by Dover. Gregory reached on a leadoff walk and moved up to second on a sac bunt before nearly scoring.

Central Arkansas' momentum did not translate at the plate, as Wilken retired the side on just four pitches in the seventh to finish it.

Pitchers of Record
W – Alivia Wilken (13-6)
L –  Bailie Runner (8-10)
S – None

Game 2 — Central Arkansas 8, North Alabama 0

Central Arkansas became the first team to no-hit UNA in the Division I era, ending an impressive stretch for the Lion bats with an 8-0 victory. Available records show that UNA has had at least one hit in every game since 2015.

After three scoreless innings, the Lions ran into trouble in the fourth and allowed two runs. The first scored on an RBI single by Eri Michael. In the next at-bat with runners on the corners, Michael stole second and allowed Gracie St. Hilaire to break for home on the throw. Hilaire was tagged out, but obstruction was called and UCA took a 2-0 lead. Another obstruction call at third kept the inning alive with runners in scoring position, but a groundout to Dover ended the threat.

The bad luck continued in the fifth, as the Bears tacked on four more hits and used some small ball to produce six more runs. This marks just the second time UNA has been run ruled this season, as UCA joins nationally-ranked Alabama in that category. On the other side of things, UNA owns two run-rule wins this season.

Despite the loss, UNA had some highlight-worthy defensive plays, namely from shortstop Haven Kirby.

Pitchers of Record
W – Julia Petty (9-9)
L –  Cassidy Duskin (9-7)
S – None

COMING UP NEXT

The Lions and Bears will end the series Sunday at 1 p.m.

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.