CARROLLTON, Ga. – The University of West Alabama softball team knocked off No. 19 Augusta State to gain a split on the opening day of the University of West Georgia Wolves Invitational.  UWA notched its seventh shutout of the season with a 2-0 win over ASU. 

The Tigers (14-4) dropped the first game of the day, 15-8 to Barry University.  The win over ASU (15-4) marked the second win of the season against a ranked foe as UWA blanked then-ranked Indianapolis, 3-0 at the UAH Chillout.

Reigning Gulf South Conference East Division Pitcher of the Week Katie Ford turned in a gem in the circle with six shutout innings before senior Jessica Cervantes closed the deal in the seventh.  The Garden City, Kan.-junior scattered two hits and struck out seven Jaguars.  Cervantes tossed six pitches in the seventh with three ground ball outs.

UWA's runs came in the fourth as Kelli Hartley led off the frame with a double and was plated on Valisha Fincher's double.  After Fincher swiped third base, senior catcher Jennifer Lillard connected on a two-out single to add to UWA's lead with Fincher's run.  Both Hartley and Lillard finished the ASU contest with a pair hits, accounting for four of UWA's five hits.

After Barry claimed a 3-2 decision earlier this season, Friday's affair was an offensive onslaught  as the Buccaneers jumped out to a 5-0 lead and offset a Tiger rally with a seven-run sixth.  UWA climbed back into the contest with seven runs combined in the second and third inning to even the game at 7-7.  BU re-gained the edge in the fourth with the go-ahead run.  The Tigers extended the game to the final at bat with a run in the sixth.  Anna Shartzer and Megan Sloke paced UWA's line up as both turned in multiple hit performances.  The pair also scored four of the Red and White's eight runs.  Fincher reached base four times via walks as BU pitching gave up ten free passes, but also turned in ten strikeouts.  BU's Paula Mackin fanned seven in relief en route to the win.