OXFORD, Ala. (May 8, 2024) – A low-scoring pitcher's duel ended in a walk-off loss for the University of North Alabama softball team, as the fifth-seeded Lions suffered their first loss of the 2024 Atlantic Sun Conference Championship with a 2-1 defeat against No. 4 FGCU on Wednesday night at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala.
With the loss, UNA moves to the elimination bracket and will take on the loser of No. 3 Central Arkansas and No. 2 North Florida on Thursday evening. The Bears and Ospreys will play at noon tomorrow and the loser will face UNA a few hours later at 5 p.m.
The Eagles scored on their first two at-bats in the bottom of the first inning, but were blanked the next five innings by UNA junior ace Alivia Wilken — making her second start in the circle in as many days.
Meanwhile, the Lions were limited by FGCU pitcher Angelina Bonilla and were unable to score until the final inning. Down 1-0, senior Haven Kirby started the frame with a bloop single and then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Lillyanna Cartee. Down to the final strike, UNA got a clutch two-out, two-strike hit from Jaiden Farnetti, scoring Kirby and tying the game at the 11th hour.
Looking to extend the game to extra innings, UNA allowed a leadoff single to FGCU's Sophie Wylie, but quickly erased the runner with a double play lineout turned by Sidney Bevis in shallow right field.
Unfortunately for UNA, FGCU had other plans and got three consecutive two-out singles to push in the winning run. Riley Oakes was the hero with a single to centerfield, scoring Emily Chiarella on a close play at the plate.
Four Lions tallied a hit Wednesday, including Kirby, Cartee, Farnetti and senior outfielder Felicity Frame.
Pitchers of Record
W – Angelina Bonilla (15-5)
L – Alivia Wilken (18-8)
S – None
COMING UP NEXT
The Lions will play either No. 3 Central Arkansas or No. 2 North Florida tomorrow at 5 p.m. The winner of that game will play another elimination game Friday at 3 p.m. A loss would warrant elimination from the tournament. All times are subject to change due to weather or duration of prior games.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
