Game 1 Box/Game 2 Box

DECATUR, Ala. — The University of West Alabama softball team split a pair of games Thursday evening, losing 15-6 to Southern Arkansas in five innings and beating UAM, 6-1 during the opening day of the Gulf South Conference at Morgan-Wilson Softball Complex.

In the second contest, West Alabama (23-28 overall, 2-14 GSC) left four on base through the first four innings. Emily White, who started for the Tigers, pitched a gem. She held UAM’s offense in check, allowing just one hit through five innings, with a walk and five strikeouts.

Emily White (9-13) pitched a complete game, giving up a run on three hits with a pair of walks and six strikeouts.

The Tigers’ offense tried to get something going in the sixth as Jordan led off the inning with a base hit to left. Shannon Goggins drilled an 0-2 pitch by UAM starting pitcher Kate Brady over the center field fence, giving West Alabama a 2-0 lead. Heather Shugart, Emily White and Alisha Berry followed with back-to-back-to-back walks, as Kimberly Calloway came on to replace Brady.

After the pitching change, Samantha White hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Shugart from third, but Emily White was tagged out trying to take third for the second out. Mary Wright grounded out to the pitcher to end the inning, but the Tigers broke the scoreless tie by scoring three runs on two hits in the inning.

Terri Rogers led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a triple to left for UAM (34-15, 10-7). After a groundout Sarah Reed ripped a single up the middle, scoring Rogers to cut the Tigers’ deficit to 3-1. Jenny Dunn reached on a fielding error by Goggins at third. But a groundout to first and a flyout to right ended the threat.

In the seventh inning, Laura Bagwell slapped a one-out double to left-center and moved to third on a bunt single by Jordan. After a stolen base by Jordan, Goggins walked to load the bases. Shugart reached on a fielder’s choice as Bagwell was safe at home. Emily White singled up the middle and advanced to second on an error by Rogers, who was play center field for UAM. Scoring on the play was Jordan and Goggins.

Brady (14-8) pitched six innings, surrendering six runs (five earned) on seven hits with five walks and five strikeouts. Calloway worked an inning in relief.

In the opener, Brittany McGee (3-5) took the loss, pitching 1 1/3 innings, giving up nine runs (four earned) on four hits. She walked four. Aubree Hudson came on in relief, working 1 2/3 innings. She gave up six runs (four earned) on five hits. Amanda Bintz pitched the final inning for West Alabama.

The Tigers got off to a good start as Bagwell led off the game with a double down the left field line and scored when Jordan ripped a double off the wall in left, giving West Alabama a 1-0 lead. Jordan was stranded at second after three straight strikeouts by Lady Muleriders pitcher Cheyenne Savony.

Southern Arkansas grabbed the lead in the bottom of the first inning as Samantha Hoelscher hit a solo home run to left, tying the contest at 1. Joanna Jones followed with a bunt single and Tisha Thompson walked. After a double steal, Jones scored on a fielding error by Goggins and Thompson scored on a sacrifice fly to right by Savony, giving the Lady Muleriders a 3-1 lead.

Southern Arkansas loaded the bases with one out in the top of the second inning. Kirstin Poch led off the inning with an infield single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kilty Arny. Stephanie Beason walked and Whitney Brannon reached on a bloop base hit to left. Hoelscher walked, plating Poch from third. Jones singled to right-center, scoring Beason to give the Lady Muleriders a 5-1 advantage.

Thompson walked for the second time in the game to plate Beason. After a pitching change, Savory reached on a fielder’s choice as Brannon was thrown out at the plate. Kristie Reed reached on an error by Jordan, who was playing shortstop for the Tigers. On the error, Thompson and Jones scored. Poch, batting for the second time in the inning, got on base on a fielding error by West Alabama third baseman Shannon Goggins. Scoring on the play was Reed and Savory. Arny followed with a base hit through the left side, plating Poch for the final run of the inning, giving Southern Arkansas an 11-1 lead.

The Lady Muleriders added four in the third inning as Savory connected on a grand slam over the left field fence, giving Southern Arkansas a 15-1 advantage.

The Tigers didn’t go quietly, scoring five runs in the top of the fifth inning as Goggins drew a two-out walk and Shugart drilled her team-leading 20^th home run over the center field fence to cut the deficit to 15-3. Emily White reached on an infield single and Corey Curlee ripped a base hit through the left side.

Wright ran for Curlee and advanced to third as Emily White scored when Jennifer Lillard singled to right. Samantha White pinch hit for Krista Merrifield and slapped a base hit to right, scoring Lillard and Wright. Samantha White was thrown out at second on the play, ending the game.

Savory started for the Lady Muleriders on the mound, pitching three innings. She gave up a run on three hits. Elena Clinton worked the final two innings in relief, giving up a pair of runs.

The Tigers continue GSC Crossover play 12:00 p.m. Friday, April 12 against Henderson State. West Alabama meets Christian Brothers in the 4:00 p.m. contest at Wilson-Morgan Park.