FLORENCE – After dropping an 8-6 decision in the opening game against Lee, the No. 9 University of North Alabama softball team got an 8-0, six-inning victory in the second contest to earn a home split on the day. The two teams will play a single game Sunday at 1 p.m. to determine the winner of the Gulf South Conference series.
The split gives UNA a 31-7 record on the season with a 15-6 mark in GSC play. With a two-game sweep over Christian Brothers on the same day, UAH moved into second place in the league standings with an 18-6 conference record.
Against Lee, a late rally fell short for the Lions in the opener. UNA trailed 8-5 before plating a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to close the gap. In the seventh, the Lions had the tying runs at second and third with one out but could not score.
Bree Blevins (12-5) took the pitching loss for UNA. She surrendered eight runs off eight hits with three walks and six strikeouts.
Five of Lee's eight runs came from three home runs. NiaRaye Ceasar hit a pair of homers for the Flames, including a two-run shot in the fifth inning. The Lions also got a three-run homerun by Carey Grace Peebles. Harlie Barkley was also 2-for-3 in the first game.
The second game came to an end in the bottom of the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly by Peebles. The fly ball to centerfield scored Bailey Nelson, who reached on an error and advanced to third base on a double by Madeline Lee.
Reagan Tittle led the batting attack that produced 11 hits in the nightcap with a 3-for-3 showing. Libby Olinger was also 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI while Lee and Courtney Shields went 2-for-4 each.
Madeline Lee highlighted a four-run second inning for UNA with a two-run homerun to left center. Olinger connected on a two-run shot of her own in the bottom of the fifth to give the Lions a 7-0 lead and set up Peebles' winning RBI in the sixth.
Hillary Carpenter recorded her third straight shutout to get the win in the circle. The sophomore from Hatton has 10 shutouts on the season and has tossed 20 consecutive scoreless innings for the Lions. Against Lee, she allowed just three hits with a walk and five strikeouts.
