CONWAY, Ark. (April 14, 2024) – In a series between two teams tied in the Atlantic Sun Conference standings, the University of North Alabama softball team reigned supreme with a 3-1 victory over defending ASUN champion Central Arkansas on Sunday in Conway, Ark.
The road series victory improves UNA to 28-14 overall and 9-6 in conference play, giving UNA sole possession of fifth place in the standings with nine games remaining. Meanwhile, Central Arkansas falls to 17-24 overall and 8-7 in the ASUN.
After splitting a doubleheader yesterday, the Lions and Bears elected to start both of their winning pitchers. North Alabama selected junior ace Alivia Wilken to take on Julia Petty from Central Arkansas. Both pitchers are junior transfers that prepped in Alabama, as Wilken starred at Buckhorn High School and Petty at Clay Chalkville.
Wilken, who allowed just one run in a complete game Saturday, mimicked those results Sunday. She scattered six hits with just one walk, while striking out four. She now has 101 strikeouts for the season to just 20 walks.
Just like Saturday's opener, the offense did enough to support Wilken's effort, scoring two runs in the opening frame and adding an insurance run in the seventh. UCA's lone run came on a squeeze bunt in the first inning, as Wilken tossed six scoreless after that.
The fun started early as senior Sidney Bevis reached on a hit-by-pitch and moved up to second on a walk to freshman Briley Dover. Dover has reached safely in 21 of the last 22 games. This brought up junior Hailey Jones, who hit her first of two doubles to score Bevis.
In the next at-bat, senior Haven Kirby skied one to centerfield to bring in Dover. UCA's run in the first inning made it 2-1 — a score that lasted until the final inning.
Jones later doubled in the sixth inning for her 150th career hit. She joins Bevis as the current active leaders for UNA. Bevis accomplished the feat to end the month at EKU.
In the seventh, senior Jaiden Farnetti opened the inning with a leadoff triple in shallow right-center field, taking advantage of a misplayed ball and speeding around to third. After that, junior Lillyanna Cartee doubled her home to make it 3-1.
Wilken allowed a runner with a one-out walk in the bottom of the seventh but quickly atoned with a strikeout and flyout to end the game.
UNA totaled five hits, including two from Jones and one each from Cartee, Farnetti and senior Felicity Frame. Frame was also instrumental with her glove, including a diving catch early in the contest and a running grab in foul territory in the latter innings.
Jones has 11 multi-hit games this season.
Pitchers of Record
W – Alivia Wilken (14-6)
L – Julia Petty (9-10)
S – None
COMING UP NEXT
UNA has 10 games remaining, including six at home. Three of those six take place this coming weekend, as the Lions host Kennesaw State on April 20-21 at Hilda B. Anderson Softball Stadium.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
