CONWAY, Ark. (May 3, 2025) – The University of North Alabama softball team closed the 2025 regular season at Central Arkansas on Saturday, falling 5-2 and 4-1 in a Saturday doubleheader to complete a three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series.
All three games had the same story — UNA took an early lead before the Bears surged back. This marks the seventh straight win for UCA in the series, avenging a series win by UNA in Conway last season.
The Lions outhit the Bears in all three games, combining for a 24-20 advantage. However, timely hitting and elite fielding by the home team kept UNA out of the win column.
The Lions finish 30-20 overall and 10-14 in ASUN play, clinching a berth for the 2025 ASUN Softball Championship next week in Oxford, Ala. The official seeding will be announced on Sunday morning as NCAA RPI rankings become final. UNA will play in the single elimination round Tuesday.
With the sweep, Central Arkansas secured a second place finish in the ASUN Gold Division and a top four seed for the tournament with a 28-25 overall record and a 16-7 record in league play. The top four seeds are automatically entered into the double elimination portion of the tournament.
Game 1: Central Arkansas 5, North Alabama 2
Much like game one of the series on Friday, the Lions took an early lead and racked up more hits than the Bears. However, the highly-touted Central Arkansas defense made life difficult for UNA both at the plate and on the basepaths en route to a 5-2 win.
Junior Laura Leigh Wheeler, who had three hits last night, hit one into left center to start the second inning, then later scored on a wild pitch for the game's first run. She was followed by sophomore Bayleigh Rouse in the five hole, who went opposite field for a solo homer.
Rouse leads the Lions with 10 homers this season.
In the bottom half of the second inning, UCA scored four runs to take the lead, ending the rally with a two RBI double from Kylie Griffin. An insurance run scored in the fifth. Prior to this, UNA had the bases loaded in the fifth, but a flyout allowed UCA to escape the inning.
On more than one occasion, the Lions had a runner in scoring position erased trying to advance.
Junior Katie Simon got the start and was followed by true freshman Kaylee Snyder, who pitched 3.0 innings with just one run allowed. Sophomore Lily Boswell closed things out with 1.2 shutout innings with just one hit allowed.
Wheeler, Rouse and leadoff hitter Gyvan Hammons had two hits apiece.
Pitchers of Record
W – Paige Engemann (3-0)
L – Katie Simon (7-5)
S – None
Game 2: Central Arkansas 4, North Alabama 1
The Lions got to work early in game three, scoring on the third at-bat with a leadoff walk and stolen base by Hammons turned into an RBI double by sophomore Briley Dover. The 1-0 lead lasted for three innings, as UCA used a three-run inning and added one in the fifth to win 4-1.
UNA split three innings between a couple of its reserve pitchers, as Boswell got the start and went three innings. True freshman Ella Ussery took over for the final three innings, allowing just one run on two hits.
Seven of UNA's starters had at least one hit, including a multi-hit game for junior designated player Caroline Cartron. UNA stranded seven runners on base, including one in each inning for the first five innings and two in the sixth.
Pitchers of Record
W – Bailie Runner (11-12)
L – Lily Boswell (0-1)
S – None
COMING UP NEXT
The 2025 ASUN Softball Championship begins Tuesday, May 6 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala. Seeds will be announced by the ASUN Sunday morning.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
