FLORENCE, Ala. (April 4, 2025) – For the fifth straight time, the University of North Alabama softball team has taken two of three from Lipscomb in a three-game series. Today's series finale involved a late surge by Lipscomb, but the Lions held on for a 4-3 win in the rubber match.
The Lions improved to 25-13 with the win, while Lipscomb fell to an even 19-19 record. The Bisons remain one game ahead of UNA in the Atlantic Sun Conference Gold Division standings with a 6-6 conference record. The Lions did however gain ground, improving to 5-7 with the series win.
After splitting a doubleheader to open the series, the ASUN contenders went toe-to-toe in the finale with their top pitchers in the circle. UNA's senior ace, Alivia Wilken, got the last laugh with her ninth complete game victory this season, including her second straight against Lipscomb.
The Bisons started with Courtney Sauer, as their ace, Laine Barefoot, started game two of the series and went the distance. After giving up three runs in the second frame, Barefoot entered and limited the damage. The Lions used this three run inning, as well as an RBI single by Ryleigh Boyett in the third inning, to take a 4-0 lead.
Lipscomb rallied back with two runs in the fourth and a two-out solo homer in the seventh inning to pull within one. However, Wilken struck out the final batter to strand the tying run at the plate.
Sophomore third baseman Bayleigh Rouse homered for the first run of the game, bouncing a solo shot off the top row of bleachers in centerfield for a no-doubter. This led to back-to-back singles by Ryleigh Boyett and Emma Kate Wright, then a chopper to third by Sammie Day-Jones that was thrown wide and allowed a run. Leadoff hitter Briley Dover came back around in the second and hit a deep fly to right field, scoring Wright for a 3-0 lead.
Junior outfielder Laura Leigh Wheeler led off the third inning with a double in the gap, moved to third on a wild pitch, then scored on a single by Boyett. Boyett was the leading hitter for UNA in the series, going 5-for-9 at the plate for a .556 average and two RBIs.
UNA had four multi-base hits, including a double from centerfielder Gyvan Hammons. Hammons and Boyett each had two-hit days. All nine UNA starters either had a hit or sac fly on the day, as the Lions finished with 10 hits.
Adding to her career total, Hailey Jones had a two-out double in the first inning. Jones is the all-time record holder for career doubles at UNA with 54 doubles. She broke the record on March 18 against Tennessee Tech.
Pitchers of Record
W – Alivia Wilken (10-5)
L – Courtney Sauer (2-5)
S – None
COMING UP NEXT
The Lions will head to Tennessee next weekend for a series at Austin Peay. The series begins Saturday, April 12 with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. and will end on Sunday, April 13 at 1 p.m.
This will be an instrumental series for both sides, as UNA and Austin Peay will only play one series during the regular season. The Govs are 7-3 in ASUN play entering the final two games against Bellarmine.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
