Game 1 Box/Game 2 Box

ATLANTA, Ga. — The University of West Alabama softball team split the final two games in the Clark Atlanta Softball Tournament Saturday, losing 5-0 to Florida Tech and beating host Clark Atlanta 23-0 at the Southeast Athletic Complex.

Heather Shugart, who went 3-for-4 with six RBIs, tied the single-season home run record by drilling a grand slam during the second inning against Clark Atlanta. The Tigers scored 23 runs for the second time this season. West Alabama defeated Mid-Continent 23-8 on March 2.

Against Clark Atlanta, the Tigers rebounded from being shutout in the opener by scoring 23 runs on 15 hits.

The Tigers used a 10-run first inning to grab a 10-0 lead, while taking advantage of six walks.

Laura Bagwell, who went 1-for-2 with three RBIs, led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on an infield single by Sheila Jordan. Shannon Goggins followed with a double to right, scoring Bagwell and Jordan. Heather Shugart singled to right, plating Goggins. Corey Curlee, who was 1-for-3, ripped a base hit to right, moving Shugart to third. An error on the second baseman allowed Shugart to score, giving West Alabama a 4-0 lead.

Samantha White, Alisha Berry and Krista Merrifield drew back-to-back-to-back walks, with Curlee scoring. Jennifer Lillard slapped a base hit up the middle plating Samantha White and Berry. With one out, Jordan tripled to left-center, plating Merrifield and Lillard. Shugart laced a two-out double to right, scoring the final run of the inning, giving the Tigers a 10-0 advantage. 

West Alabama added to the total in the second inning by scoring 13 runs on seven hits, including Shugart’s team leading and Gulf South Conference leading 16^th home run of the season.

Aubree Hudson (6-4) pitched three innings, giving up just one hit, while striking out four to get the victory. It was her second straight shutout win of the weekend. Amanda Bintz worked two innings of relief.

Jordan led the Tigers at the plate by going 4-for-4 with four runs scored and four RBIs, Goggins went 3-for-4 with five RBIs. Berry was 1-for-2, while Mary Wright went 1-for-1. Jennifer Lillard rounded out the offense by going 1-for-2 with two runs scored and three RBIs.

In the opener against Florida Tech, the Tigers (19-12) had three hits off Panthers starter Amber West. Florida Tech plated five runs on nine hits to get the win.

West Alabama didn’t register a hit until the fifth inning against Florida Tech starter Amber West. With two outs in the fifth, Curlee, who went 2-for-3 ripped a double against the wall in left. Merrifield followed with a groundout to the shortstop to end the threat.

After Tigers starter Emily White retired the first inning with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout around a base hit, Florida Tech broke the scoreless tie in the second inning with two runs. 

Katie Naumoff doubled down the left-field line to begin the second. Ashley Lugo singled up the middle, scoring Naumoff from second. Jen Wise moved Lugo to second on a sacrifice bunt. Lugo advanced to third and scored on a wild pitch.

In the third inning, the Panthers added a run on a solo home run over the left-field fence by Kristen Fettes.

Florida Tech pushed the lead to 5-0 with a pair of runs on two hits in the fourth inning.

Alexandrea Wiegand reached on a fielding error by Tigers shortstop Sheila Jordan and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Ashley Coleman moved Wiegand to third on a groundout. Danielle Stanley doubled to left-center, scoring Wiegand from third. Standley moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Laura Chisena groundout.

West Alabama got its second hit in the top of the sixth inning as Jordan ripped a two-out base hit up the middle and took second on a wild pitch. Goggins walked to put runners on first and second. Shugart grounded out to first to end the rally.

Emily White (8-4) pitched 3 1/3 innings, giving up five runs (three earned) on seven hits. She had a walk and two strikeouts. Brittany McGee worked 2 2/3 innings, scattering two hits, with a pair of strikeouts.

West (8-7) earned the win by pitching seven innings, giving up two hits with eight strikeouts.

West Alabama returns to action 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 17 as the Tigers open Gulf South Conference play against UAH at the UWA Softball Complex.