NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 17, 2025) – The University of North Alabama softball team put on another dominant display on Monday in Nashville, clinching an Atlantic Sun Conference series win over Lipscomb with a 9-0 six-inning shutout in the finale.
The Lions are now 21-6 overall and 2-1 to start ASUN play. The Bisons dip to an even 13-13 record and are 1-2 in the ASUN.
This marks UNA's fourth straight series win over Lipscomb dating back to 2021. All four series involved UNA taking two of three — including three series on the road in Nashville.
The game — and the series — was decided in the fifth inning as the Lions rallied for six runs in the frame. Lipscomb tried to rally by loading the bases, but junior pitcher Emily Simon shut down the Bisons bats to keep her shutout alive. The Lions tacked on three more in the sixth and Simon maintained the goose egg.
Lipscomb stranded seven runners on base, including five in the final two innings.
Simon was excellent in the circle over 6.0 innings with no runs allowed on just two hits. Despite five walks, Simon kept the cleats off home plate and added four strikeouts in a minimal contact performance. Simon improves to 7-2 in the circle, including back-to-back shutouts of Lipscomb and six shutout appearances.
Simon also pitched yesterday's 16-0 shutout win over Lipscomb, giving her 12 straight shutout innings to open conference play.
The Lions totaled 13 hits on the day, including multi-hit days from Briley Dover, Katie Davis and Hailey Jones in the 1-2-3 spots. Junior Bayleigh Rouse ended the scoring in the sixth with a two-RBI double, allowing UNA to finish with a mercy rule win. She was the other Lion with a two-hit day.
Pinch hitter Sammie Day-Jones, who had her first career hit on Sunday in game two, added her first career RBI single to drive home two in the sixth inning rally. Dover and Jones sparked the rally with the go-ahead hits, then Laura Leigh Wheeler and Ryleigh Boyett tacked on two more with sac flies. Wheeler also drove home a run in the sixth with a fielder's choice.
Jones has reached in 25 straight games and recorded her 200th career hit over the weekend. She has a career batting average of .320, including a remarkable .424 average this season.
Pitchers of Record
W – Emily Simon (7-2)
L – Ryleigh Sapp (3-3)
S – None
COMING UP NEXT
UNA returns home tomorrow at 3 p.m. to host Tennessee Tech in non-conference action.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
