LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Four Tigers posted home runs and Ashley Stassin pitched a shutout as West Alabama softball swept Christian Brothers in a Gulf South Conference doubleheader on Saturday. UWA brought in six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take game one 9-4 and continued its hitting streak into game two, winning 15-0.
 
With still one game left in the series, West Alabama claims its first GSC series and stretches its win streak to five. The Tigers improve to 14-16 overall and 6-13 in the league. Christian Brothers drops to 7-24 and 2-15.  
 
"Winning is fun. It's exciting to take the series on day one," said UWA head coach Will Atkinson.
 
"Although we didn't play defense particularly well in the first game, our hitters were still able to get the big hits when we needed them to. In the second game, our game plan was to make them throw strikes and we had seen three pitchers before we ever got an out. It was nice to see everyone go to the plate in the first inning and score. I'm impressed with our effort today."
 
Jordyn Whiddon put the Tigers on the board first with a two run home run in the bottom of the third in game one. Libby Davis extended the lead to 3-1 in the fourth, bringing in Lacey Santiago on a single.
 
Trailing one run in the bottom of the sixth inning, Giana Cavallaro sparked UWA's comeback with her first home run of the season. Santiago and Whiddon each finished the game with two runs, while both of Santiago's hits were doubles.
 
The offensive surge continued early into game two as West Alabama batted around the lineup with nine hits to take a 12-0 lead in the first inning. While Scarlett Wright, Treasure Rodriguez and Giana Cavallaro each recorded doubles in the inning, Rodriguez went on to clear the bases with a home run in her second at bat of the inning.
 
Audrey Diekmann belted a two run homer in the bottom of the fourth to further secure the victory.
 
Ashley Stassin led the day offensively, as well as dominating the circle in game two. She extended her hitting streak to six games, finishing the day 4-for-8 with five RBI and two runs. She hit in three runs with a double to left center field in in the sixth inning of game one for her only extra base hit of the day.
 
She improved to 5-1 in the circle with her first shutout of the season in game two. She allowed just five hits while striking out four and walking two through five innings.
 
Whiddon led the day with four runs finishing 2-for-4 at the plate and extending her hit streak to seven; her longest of the year.
 
Alli Hall (8-12) picked up the win in game one, striking out five CBU batters and allowing four earned runs on five hits.
 
Kylie Steagall (2-8) entered in the sixth inning of game one, giving up three runs, one hit and walking four to take the loss. TJ Fernandez (1-2) was the first of four pitchers to see action for the Buccaneers in game two. She recorded the loss allowing five runs on three hits and two walks in the first inning.
 
The series will conclude with game three on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the UWA Softball Complex.