HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Alabama Huntsville's Tyler Harrison struck out six-of-nine batters faced as West Alabama softball fell 7-6 in the final game of its three-game Gulf South Conference opening series against the Chargers on Saturday.
 
The Tigers fall to 0-3 in GSC play, dropping to 4-5 on the season. Nationally ranked No. 18 Alabama Huntsville begins 3-0 in the league and improves to 11-2 overall.
 
"If we can just eliminate the big inning, and that's what has happened in several games, it's a totally different game," said UWA head coach Will Atkinson. "We gave up our big inning early on and gave up four runs."
 
UWA took a 3-0 lead in the top of the second inning as Sarah Miles and Libby Davis combined for three runs batted in. UAH answered with a four-run outing in the bottom half of the second inning, following it with three more runs in the third.
 
The Tigers rallied back with three more runs in the top of the fourth on two RBI singles by freshman Brittany Anderson and Davis.
 
Anderson had two hits in three at-bats with two RBIs, and Miles went 2-of-3 with one RBI, scoring two runs herself.
 
Junior pitcher Amanda Medders entered the game in the fourth inning, allowing just four hits while keeping the Chargers scoreless.
 
Kaitlyn Bannister led UAH with three hits in four at-bats, tallying two RBI and a run.
 
Tyler Harrison (6-2) came in for Kimberly Jack in the fifth inning, striking out six batters and holding the Tigers hitless to earn the win. Andrea Edmonds (2-1) gave up five earned runs in three innings pitched to take the loss.
 
"I'm proud of the effort today. There are no moral victories, but we made improvements from yesterday and that's something we can build on," Atkinson said.
 
"At one point, every single player that was in the game was a freshman or sophomore. The future is bright for this club, and we have people that are willing to play their role."
 
The Tigers will return to Livingston for a doubleheader against Miles College on Tuesday. First pitch for game one is set for 2 p.m.