2016SBGSCchamps
19
Winner North Alabama UNA 49-5
9
Valdosta State VSUSB 40-12-2
Winner
North Alabama UNA
49-5
19
Final
9
Valdosta State VSUSB
40-12-2
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
North Alabama UNA 0 1 0 18 0 19 16 2
Valdosta State VSUSB 3 0 2 4 0 9 8 0

W: Carpenter, Hillary (23-3) L: Caitlyn Calhoun (27-6)

Next Game:

Tuskegee

5/5/2016 | 4:30 PM

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Full Schedule
May. 05 (Thu) / 4:30 PM
 Tuskegee
History

Game Recap: Softball |

LIONS CLAIM GSC SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

FLORENCE – A record 18-run fourth inning highlighted North Alabama's performance in the 2016 Gulf South Conference Softball Championship Game on Sunday as UNA won its first title since 1987 with a 19-9 victory over Valdosta State. After entering the frame trailing 5-1, the Lions sent 22 batters to the plate, setting a new conference record for runs in an inning.
 
The second straight mercy-rule win over the No. 21 Blazers gave UNA its first GSC championship since winning back-to-back titles in 1986 and 1987 during the first two seasons of fast-pitch softball in the league. The Lions (49-5) finished with 16 hits, including a 4-for-4, five-RBI showing by tournament MVP Harlie Barkley.
 
UNA had only three hits heading into the fourth inning. Valdosta State scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and two runs in the third to take the early lead. Barkley's solo home run in the second represented the only run for UNA before the flood gates opened.
 
Barkley, who batted three times in the inning, led off the frame with a single. After consecutive walks loaded the bases with no outs, pinch-hitter Shelby Woodard was hit by a pitch to make the score 5-2. Carmen Whitfield then cut the lead to 5-4 with a two-run double.
 
With runners at second and third and still no outs, Bailey Nelson tied the game with an RBI-single to left field to chase VSU starter Caitlyn Calhoun from the circle. VSU's Huntyre Elling came on in relief. The runs, however, would continue to come for North Alabama.
 
After a two-run double by Courtney Shields gave UNA its first lead of the game, the Blazers recorded the first out of the inning. An RBI-single by Barkley then put runners at first and second for Anna Gayle Norris, who drilled a 1-1 pitch to right field for a three-run home run.
 
The Lions were not done yet. After a walk and two hits loaded the bases again, Nelson's base-on ball scored a runner from third and gave UNA a 12-5 lead. Brooklynn Clark and Shields each drove in two more runs before Barkley hit a three-run homer to left field and make the score 19-5.
 
Valdosta State was able to push four runs across in the bottom of the fourth inning, but could get no closer.
 
Hillary Carpenter (23-3) got the pitching win. She struck out three and scattered seven hits in four innings of work. Only three of the Blazers' nine runs were earned.
 
At the plate, Shields finished 3-for-5 with four RBI. Clark, who became the school's all-time single-season hit leader with 87, was 2-for-4, while Norris and Whitfield also added two hits each. Eight different players recorded at least one hit for the Lions. The 19 runs is the most ever scored by UNA in a post-season game, while the combined 28 runs also sets a new single-game record for the GSC tourney.
 
Joining Barkley on the All-Tournament team from UNA were Clark, Shields and Raven Cole.

With the win, UNA earns the automatic berth in the upcoming NCAA regional tournament. The Lions are in solid position to host one of the two four-team regionals next weekend. An NCAA online selection show is set for 9 a.m.

 
2559
Harlie Barkley homers in the second inning
2560
Barkley's second homer of the day.
2553
Fans pack out the UNA Softball Complex
2554
UNA head coach Ashley Cozart sends Carmen Whitfield home.
2552
Anna Gayle Norris homers in the fourth inning.
2550
UNA assistant coach Whitney Hawkins celebrates with Bailey Nelson after her RBI-single tied the game.
2551
Brooklynn Clark ties the single-season hit record. Her single on the next at-bat gave her 87 hits to break the record.
2549
Courtney Shields rounds first base after hitting the first of her two doubles on the day.
2555
UNA players rush the field after winning the 2016 GSC championship
2557
UNA head coach Ashley Cozart receives an ice water shower after winning the GSC championship.
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Harlie Barkley

#2 Harlie Barkley

IF
5' 3"
Senior
R-R
Hillary Carpenter

#1 Hillary Carpenter

P
5' 5"
Junior
L-L
Bailey Nelson

#17 Bailey Nelson

OF
5' 4"
Sophomore
L-R
Courtney Shields

#7 Courtney Shields

OF
5' 10"
Senior
L-R
Carmen Whitfield

#9 Carmen Whitfield

C
5' 7"
Senior
R-R
Brooklynn Clark

#8 Brooklynn Clark

1B
5' 10"
Senior
L-L
Raven Cole

#42 Raven Cole

P
5' 4"
Junior
R-R
Anna Gayle Norris

#26 Anna Gayle Norris

1B
6' 0"
Junior
L-L
Shelby Woodard

#11 Shelby Woodard

3B/C
6' 0"
Freshman
R-R

Players Mentioned

Harlie Barkley

#2 Harlie Barkley

5' 3"
Senior
R-R
IF
Hillary Carpenter

#1 Hillary Carpenter

5' 5"
Junior
L-L
P
Bailey Nelson

#17 Bailey Nelson

5' 4"
Sophomore
L-R
OF
Courtney Shields

#7 Courtney Shields

5' 10"
Senior
L-R
OF
Carmen Whitfield

#9 Carmen Whitfield

5' 7"
Senior
R-R
C
Brooklynn Clark

#8 Brooklynn Clark

5' 10"
Senior
L-L
1B
Raven Cole

#42 Raven Cole

5' 4"
Junior
R-R
P
Anna Gayle Norris

#26 Anna Gayle Norris

6' 0"
Junior
L-L
1B
Shelby Woodard

#11 Shelby Woodard

6' 0"
Freshman
R-R
3B/C