FLORENCE, Ala. (March 25, 2025) – The University of North Alabama softball team had nationally-ranked Alabama down to its final out on Wednesday, but two costly errors allowed the Crimson Tide to rally and escape with a 4-2 win at the Florence Sportsplex.
For 20 outs, everything went right for the home team. North Alabama (22-10) scored a pair of runs in the third inning and was on the verge of being the first team to shutout Alabama (23-12) all season. The Lions led 2-0 with two outs in the seventh inning.
However, the No. 25 Crimson Tide hit back-to-back singles and had two on with one out. A hard hit ball to third was corralled by Bayleigh Rouse. She tagged third and nearly completed an amazing game-ending play, but Alabama survived with an errant throw, allowing the runner on first to score.
An RBI single brought home the tying run, but UNA remained in an advantageous position with a 2-2 score and the bottom of the seventh looming. Unfortunately for the home team, two unearned runs scored after an infield error. The Lions got the tying run to the plate after a one-out pinch hit double from Caroline Cartron, but two strikeouts from Alabama pitcher Jocelyn Briski ended the game in heartbreak.
The game drew an attendance of 3,058, marking the second-largest crowd in UNA Softball history. The 2023 game against Alabama at the Florence Sportsplex drew 4,008 fans.Fans were not only treated to a dramatic softball game this season but also a live concert from Shoals musicians Austin Bohannon and Gary Nichols.
Senior pitcher Alivia Wilken was the star of the show for most of the game, pitching six shutout innings before Alabama finally cracked the code in the seventh. Wilken forced the Tide to strand 10 runners in those six innings, including multiple times with the bases juiced. Despite the loss, the New Market, Ala. native tossed 6.2 innings with just one earned run allowed. All of her outs were recorded by contact.
Offensively, the Lions struck with a pair of runs in the third inning. The inning started with a single by junior centerfielder Gyvan Hammons and a double in the leadoff spot by sophomore shortstop Briley Dover. With two runners in scoring position, senior second baseman Hailey Jones hit a deep sac fly to centerfield to score Hammmons.
In the next at-bat, junior Laura Leigh Wheeler hit an infield single deep in the hole. Dover raced all the way from second and beat a throw from first to home to give UNA a 2-0 lead. This lead held all the way until the final out of the top of the seventh.
Dover and Wheeler had two-hit days, while Hammons, Cartron and Ryleigh Boyett had one apiece. Dover and Cartron both doubled in the effort.
Pitchers of Record
W – Jocelyn Briski (10-8)
L – Alivia Wilken (8-5)
S – None
COMING UP NEXT
The Lions will play Eastern Kentucky this weekend. The series has been adjusted to begin with a doubleheader on Friday, March 28 at 2 p.m. and will conclude Saturday, March 29 at 11 a.m. Both times are central.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
