Wheeler
1
North Alabama UNA 30-18, 10-12 ASUN
2
Winner Central Arkansas UCA 26-25, 14-7 ASUN
North Alabama UNA
30-18, 10-12 ASUN
1
Final
2
Central Arkansas UCA
26-25, 14-7 ASUN
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
North Alabama UNA 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 0
Central Arkansas UCA 0 0 0 1 1 0 X 2 5 0

W: Bailie Runner (10-12) L: Wilken, Alivia (12-8)

Game Recap: Softball |

Softball edged by Bears in series opener, 2-1

Wheeler turns in three-hit day; Wilken records 100th strikeout this season

CONWAY, Ark. (May 2, 2025) – The University of North Alabama softball team recorded more hits than Central Arkansas and had an early 1-0 lead on Friday to open a three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series, but a pair of solo homers allowed the Bears to win game one by a 2-1 final in Conway, Ark.

The Lions (30-18, 10-12 ASUN) struck early with three hits in the opening frame, taking a 1-0 lead. That lead nearly doubled in the fourth inning as Hailey Jones appeared to score on a fielder's choice, but after review was deemed out by a bang-bang tag at the plate to end the frame.

In the bottom of the fourth, Central Arkansas (26-25, 14-7 ASUN) capitalized on the momentum with a game-tying solo homer from Emma Robertson. In the fifth, Aeryn Shuman pinch hit in the nine spot and sent another solo shot over left field for the lead. UNA reached Bayleigh Rouse with a leadoff single in the seventh, but the tying run was left stranded.

The two homers spoiled what was otherwise a strong outing for senior ace Alivia Wilken, who tossed her ninth quality start of the season. She scattered just five hits over six innings with no walks and four strikeouts. She forced 12 flyouts compared to just two groundouts.

Wilken notched her 100th strikeout of the season today. She has 230 strikeouts in her two seasons at UNA.

The Lions managed seven hits on UCA ace Bailie Runner, including three by junior cleanup hitter Laura Leigh Wheeler. Senior Hailey Jones had a two-hit day, including a double, while Rouse and Gyvan Hammons accounted for the other hits.

This game started the final series of the regular season, as the 2025 ASUN Softball Championship looms next week. While both UNA and UCA have already clinched berths into the tournament, seeding remains at stake for both teams.

Central Arkansas has the third-best record in the ASUN and is on the fast track to lock in one of the top four seeds for the tournament. Meanwhile, North Alabama remains fourth in the ASUN Gold Division at 10-12 and would finish as the seventh seed if the season ended today.
 

Pitchers of Record
W – Bailie Runner (10-12)
L – Alivia Wilken (12-7)
S – None
 

COMING UP NEXT

The Lions and Bears will play two more tomorrow with an 11 a.m. doubleheader in Conway.

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

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