FLORENCE, Ala. (April 27, 2025) – The University of North Alabama softball team wrapped up a three-game series against Atlantic Sun Conference Gold Division leader Eastern Kentucky on Sunday, as the Lions dropped both games of a Sunday doubleheader to lose two of three.
Following a 5-4 win for the Lions on Saturday, EKU stormed back with a 9-0 win in the first game and a 7-3 victory in the rubber match.
The Colonels improve to 34-14 overall and 15-5 in the ASUN to take a two-game lead in the Gold Division standings. UNA, now 30-17 overall and 10-11 in league play, sits just two games back of Austin Peay entering the final weekend.
Both teams have already clinch berths into the 2025 ASUN Championship Tournament from May 6-10.
Game 1: Eastern Kentucky 9, UNA 0 (5 innings)
The Colonels evened the series, starting Sunday's action with a 9-0 win in five innings.
This marked UNA's first run rule loss of the season. Previously, the Lions had a 9-0 record in games that ended early this season, including wins over Alabama State, Lindenwood (twice), Oakland (twice), Louisana-Monroe, Lipscomb (twice) and Tennessee Tech.
EKU drew more walks than hits, earning seven free passes with just six hits scattered. EKU only had one RBI hit, as the other eight runs scored on bases loaded walks, groundouts, sac flies, wild pitches and double steals.
Ryleigh Boyett had UNA's lone hit of the day with a single that landed in right center.
Pitchers of Record
W – Maddi Rutan (16-8)
L – Emily Simon (9-4)
S – None
Game 2:
EKU scored seven runs in the first two innings, earning a 7-3 win in the finale. UNA scored on a sacrifice fly from sophomore infielder Bayleigh Rouse in the sixth, then added another with an RBI single from junior outfielder Laura Leigh Wheeler.
The Lions scattered eight hits from six different players, including a two-hit day from Boyett sophomore shortstop Briley Dover. This gave Boyett three hits in the two games, including a pair of doubles in the finale.
Despite entering with a 7-0 deficit, the pitching duo of junior Alivia Wilken and freshman Ella Ussery combined for 5.2 scoreless innings in relief. Wilken went 2.2 innings with no walks and three strikeouts, while Ussery pitched 3.0 scoreless innings in her second career appearance. Both pitchers gave up just two hits apiece with five combined strikeouts.
Pitchers of Record
W – Victoria Byrum (12-3)
L – Katie Simon (7-5)
S – None
COMING UP NEXT
The Lions will end the regular season next weekend with a three-game series at Central Arkansas. The series begins Friday, May 2 at 5 p.m. and ends Saturday, May 3 with an 11 a.m. doubleheader.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
