LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Nationally ranked No. 6 North Alabama tallied 17 runs in the final three innings to defeat West Alabama 17-5 in Gulf South Conference Softball action on Sunday.
 
North Alabama extends its win streak to 15 games, improving to 32-4 overall and 16-2 in the GSC. West Alabama drops to 10-18 and 3-15.
 
"Any time you have to score double digits to win a ball game, it's tough and it's hard to build momentum," said UWA head coach Will Atkinson. "We started off strong both offensively and defensively. Ashley Stassin did what we asked of her in the circle, but our bullpen came in and gave up 17 runs. You have to credit North Alabama, they're ranked No. 6 in the nation for a reason."

The Tigers took the first lead of the day with a solo home run by Kristen Bittle in the bottom of the second inning. It was her second homer of the season, but the lead was short lived as UNA began its offensive rally in the top of the third.

Brooklyn Clark started the Lions off with a three run homer, followed by an inside the park home run by Harlie Barkley. Madeline Lee capped off the six run inning with a two run home run shot.

UWA battled back in the bottom of the inning with a two run homer by Audrey Diekmann and another run by Brittany Anderson that cut North Alabama's lead to 6-4. Diekmann's home run was her second of the series and made her the team leader with six on the season. She added one more RBI in the fourth inning on a fly ball to center field, giving her three in the game. She finished 2-for-3 at the plate.

The Lions added five more runs in the fourth and six in the fifth. Courtney Shields totaled four doubles in five at-bats that brought around two runs in the fourth and fifth. Anna Gayle Norris homered in the fourth for two runs to stretch the lead to 10-4. Mackenzie Roberts added two more runs with a home run in the fifth to lift UNA to a 16-5 lead.  

Hillary Carpenter (16-2) entered in the circle for UNA in the third to take the win. She struck out two and gave up one run and one hit.

The Tigers cycled through four pitchers through five innings. Andrea Edmonds (5-5) replaced Ashley Stassin in the third to pick up the loss. Edmonds allowed six runs on five hits. Through two innings, Stassin gave up only two hits and struck out one, while not allowing a run.

West Alabama Softball will remain at home to face Peach Belt Conference opponent Montevallo on Tuesday in a double-header. First pitch of game one is slated for 3 p.m.