Game 1 Box/Game 2 Box

LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Shannon Goggins hit a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to help the University of West Alabama softball team earn a  split with West Florida in Gulf South Conference play Saturday, as the Tigers dropped the opener 1-0 in eight innings, but took the second game 4-3 at the UWA Softball Complex.

Goggins, who went 2-for-4, ripped a 1-1 pitch from Argonauts starter Emily Burge over the left field fence to give West Alabama (21-18 overall, 1-5 GSC) its first conference win of the season.

Aubree Hudson (9-7) pitched seven innings, surrendering three runs on six hits with a pair of strikeouts.

West Florida struck first in the second contest, plating a pair of runs in the first inning.

Ashlee Simpson singled to second to begin the game and advanced to second when Whitney Gay was hit by a pitch. Ellen Marsh pushed both runners up a base on a sacrifice bunt. Nicky VanCamp reached on a bunt single and advanced to second, while Simpson scored. Burge flied out to center, scoring Gay from third for the second run of the inning.

The Argonauts (19-14, 1-3) added a run in the second to grab a 3-0 lead.

Julie Carroll led off the inning with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a Heather Bell sacrifice bunt. Melissa Chastang was hit by a pitch and Simpson walked to load the bases. Gay flied out to center, scoring Carroll from third, giving West Florida a 3-0 lead.

West Alabama responded by plating a pair of runs on three hits in the bottom of the second inning.

Emily White, who was 1-for-3, singled through the ride side to begin the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jennifer Lillard. Krista Merrifield, who was 1-for-3, singled up the middle, moving Emily White to third. With two outs, Alisha Berry walked to load the bases and Laura Bagwell, who was 1-for-4, doubled to left center, scoring Emily White and Merrifield. Sheila Jordan, who went 3-for-4, struck out to end the inning.

Both pitchers settled down, allowing for some late-inning drama.

In the seventh with one out, Jordan singled to center, setting the stage for Goggins’ walk-off two-run home run.

Samantha White added a pair of hits in the win for the Tigers.

Burge (10-8) worked 6 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on 10 hits, with five strikeouts.

In the opener, Emily White and Burge had a pitchers duel as neither team scored a run through the first seven innings.

West Florida scored the games only run in the top of the eighth inning.

Valerie Staub got on a base on a bunt single to begin the inning. Simpson reached on a fielder’s choice as Staub was out at second. Gay singled, advancing Simpson to second. Marsh hit a sacrifice fly to right to for the second out and moved Simpson to third. Simpson scored the only run on a wild pitch.

Emily White (8-8) pitched eight innings in taking the loss. She gave up a run on six hits, with nine strikeouts.

Burge picked up the win, tossing a three-hitter in eight innings, with eight strikeouts.

Collecting hits for West Alabama were Bagwell, Jordan and Emily White.

The Tigers return to action 12:00 p.m. Sunday, March 25 against No. 12 Valdosta State at the UWA Softball Complex.