LIVINGSTON, Ala. - Audrey Diekmann and Ashley Stassin combined for three home runs, including a grand slam by Stassin, and 11 runs batted in as West Alabama softball swept Tuskegee University in its 2016 home opening doubleheader. The Tigers totaled 30 runs, taking game one 15-5 and game two 15-0.

UWA improves to 4-2 overall on the season, while Tuskegee falls to 0-7.

"One of the things that we talked about after the weekend was getting better pitches to hit," said UWA head coach Will Atkinson. "We worked on that this week and we had a good opportunity to get some good pitches and put a good barrel on it."

Diekmann led the offensive barrage going 3-of-4 with two home runs and a single while accounting for six RBIs in game one.
Acey Spence (0-1) gave up six runs before coming out of the game in the second inning to take the loss. Ashley Stassin (1-0) picked up the win after allowing just five runs on six hits.

At the plate, Stassin went 2-of-4 with five RBIs, breaking game two open with a base clearing shot over the left field fence in the bottom of the third inning to extend the Tigers lead to 11-0.  

Andrea Edmonds (2-0) earned her first shutout, carrying a perfect game into the fifth inning before giving up just two hits. Kaylin Finch (0-2) gave up nine runs on nine hits before leaving the game in the third inning.

"Andrea came out and commanded the strike zone, and the defense made plays for her," Atkinson said.

"They ran into one at the end and got a couple of hits, but as far as outings go, she's been in college ball for a grand total of about three games and to come out with a two-hit shutout, that's nothing to hang your head about."

West Alabama softball will go on the road to open up Gulf South Conference play in three game series against Alabama Huntsville beginning in a double-header on Friday. The first pitch for game one is set for 2 p.m.