LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Angela Smith's double in 11th inning drove in the game-winning run as the University of West Alabama softball team posted a come-from-behind 5-4 win over No. 21 West Florida in the second game of the set. UWF edged the Tigers 4-3 in eight innings in the opener.
With the split, UWA moved to 28-14 overall and 5-7 in Gulf South Conference Play. UWA will close out the weekend, hosting No. 2 Valdosta State on Saturday, April 3. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. VSU blanked North Alabama on Saturday, 2-0 and 8-0.
Trailing 4-1 entering its final at bat, UWA plated three runs on four hits to even the game at 4-4. Senior catcher Angela Hanna started the frame with a pinch hit solo home run to left center. Hanna's smash sparked the Tiger bats as the next three batters posted hits. Lindsey Skinner plated Smith with a single for the third run of the game. A Kelli Hartley fielder's choice pushed Skinner across the dish for the game-tying run.
Sophomore Hannah Griffin pitched the final eight innings to earn her third win of the season. After UWA starter Hannah Billingsley was touched for four runs on six hits, Griffin silenced the Argonauts as the Mobile, Ala.-native allowed one hits in the outing. The lone hit off of Griffin came in the eighth as Crystal Thompson recorded a single to right. Griffin was credited with a pair of strikeouts and four walks.
Stephanie Beahn led all Tigers at the plate with three hits. Smith and Shartzer finished the night cap with a pair of hits.
In game one, UWA was one out away from a sweep, but a Kari Bisbee single to left knot the game at 3-3. UWF scored the winning run in the eighth as Amber Ingram drilled a homerun to left for the go-ahead run. The Argonauts thwarted a UWA rally in the bottom half of the inning. UWF held a 1-0 lead on an un-earned run in the second, before the Tigers erased the deficit with a three-run fourth. UWA did all of its damage with two outs. After a pair of walks, Lindsey Skinner's double highlighted the frame as she drove in Beahn and Hartley. Skinner scored the third run on a wild pitch.
Katie Ford was tagged with her fourth loss of the season after throwing the final four frames.
Prior to Saturday's twinbill, the Tigers will recognize their newest member of the ballclub. UWA has teamed up with the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. The foundation is a non-profit organization that improves the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and their families. FOJ matches a child in need of love, support and friendship with a college or high school sports team based on geographic basis. Ella Norris, a native of Thomasville, Ala. will be officially adopted by the Tigers on Saturday. Earlier this week, Ella and the Tigers enjoyed a day at the Birmingham Zoo. Ella is two years old and is the daughter of Caleb and Tamara Norris.
