FLORENCE, Ala. (March 21, 2025) – The University of North Alabama softball team dropped its first Atlantic Sun Conference home series on Friday, as Central Arkansas won both games of a competitive doubleheader at Hilda B. Anderson Softball Stadium.

The Bears improve to 13-17 overall and 2-2 in the league, while UNA falls to 22-8 and 2-3 in the ASUN.

Defensive struggles and untimely third outs led to the first result, while UCA used a late rally to overtake game two. The series finale will take place on Ssaturday at 1 p.m. as UNA looks to avoid its first series loss this season.

This avenges a series loss last season for Central Arkansas, as the Lions won two of three in Conway last season. For UNA, today marks just the third time UNA has lost back-to-back games in 30 games this season.

Four Lions had multi-hit days in the two games. However, senior Hailey Jones went 1-for-4 in the opener but did not record a hit in the nightcap to end a 27-game on-base streak. According to reports, Jones had the third-longest streak in the nation this season, tied with Sierra Sacco of Mississippi State.
 

Game 1 — Central Arkansas 8, North Alabama 3

North Alabama suffered some early miscues in the top of the first and were unable to recover in an 8-3 loss in the series opener.

A batted infield single and a dropped blooper gave UCA the early momentum, setting the table for an early two-RBI single. The Bears tacked on one more in the first, but UNA responded in the second with back-to-back doubles from Bayleigh Rouse and Ryleigh Boyett to make it 3-1.

The Bears added two more in the third, but Rouse put her team back within three on an RBI single by Rouse to score trusty senior Hailey Jones. Down 7-2 in the fifth, the Lions continued battling. Junior Laura Leigh Wheeler skied a deep double off the right field wall to score leadoff hitter Briley Dover. Later in the inning, UNA loaded the bases, but a strikeout by Bailie Runner in the circle kept the tying run at the plate.

UCA tacked on another run with an infield single by ASUN Defensive Player of the Year Kylie Griffin. UNA was unable to respond in the seventh.

The two rivals combined for 20 hits, including eight for the Lions. Dover earned her team-leading 13th multi-hit game with two hits, while Rouse added two more for her ninth such game.
 

Pitchers of Record
W – Bailie Runner (4-9)
L – Emily Simon (8-3)
S – None

Game 2 — Central Arkansas 7, North Alabama 3

The Lions held the lead and the momentum midway through the nightcap, but a four-run rally in the final two innings led UCA to the series win with a 7-3 victory.

Much like game one, UCA took an early lead and the Lions responded with a run in the bottom frame. This run came off the bat of Wheeler with an RBI double to bring in Katie Davis. Wheeler struck again in the third with a solo homer, following one by Dover. This gave UNA a 3-2 advantage.

UCA tied the game in the fourth with an RBI single up the middle, then added four unanswered runs with one in the sixth and three in the seventh.

Both teams had nine hits, including two from Wheeler and Boyett.
 

Pitchers of Record
W – Madge Layfield (4-2)
L – Alivia Wilken (8-3)
S – None

COMING UP NEXT

UNA looks to salvage the series tomorrow at 1 p.m.

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