PENSACOLA, Fla. – West Florida rallied eight runs in the final two innings of game one to defeat West Alabama 8-0, before completing the double-header sweep with an 11-1 win in game two in Gulf South Conference Softball action on Saturday.
West Florida stretches its win streak to 12 to improve to 32-11 overall and 18-8 in the GSC. West Alabama falls to 16-26 and 6-20.
Both teams were deadlocked defensively for four and half innings of game one, before the Argonauts bats began in the bottom of the fifth. A RBI triple by Rhiannon Sassmon sparked the offensive run for UWF, before four more singles led to four more runs in the same frame.
Sassmon added another RBI on a hit-by-pitch in the ensuing inning. After a walk by UWA with the bases loaded, Rachel Wright secured victory for the Argos with an RBI single. Sassmon finished 1-for-2 with two runs and two RBI, while Wright tallied three RBI and a run with one hit.
Kalyn Chapman (15-5) struck out five Tiger batters to pick up the win in the circle for West Florida. She gave up only one hit and walked three.
Ashley Stassin (5-5) took the loss, allowing three earned runs and seven hits through five innings.
Jenna Goldsmith picked up the only hit for West Alabama in game one.
"I think Stassin pitched one of the best games she has had over her career," said UWA head coach
Will Atkinson.
"Going into the fifth inning, it's a 0-0 ball game and we're only getting out-hit 2-1. Then, they sneak one by the infield. We just can't seem to stop the big inning. Credit to their pitcher, she did a great job and kept us to one hit through the first game."
West Florida's offensive momentum continued well into game two, as the Argos compiled 11 runs on 10 hits through the first three innings. Sassmon and Kathleen Smiley led with three RBI's each. Smiley posted two doubles in two at-bats, while Sassmon delivered a triple. Jessica Wilkinson also tallied a triple with one RBI and one run.
Stassin scored in the fourth to put the Tigers on the board for the first time on the day.
Sarah Miles brought in Stassin on the Tigers fifth and final hit of the game.
Becca Taylor (12-5) pitched the win in game two. She struck out three batters and allowed five hits through four innings.
Amanda Medders (3-12) pitched through two innings, giving up three earned runs to take the loss.
Allie Kelley replaced her in the third, striking out three but also allowing three earned runs.
"We just didn't take care of the softball in the second game," Atkinson said.
"Medders and Kelley kept the ball in the infield, but we kicked it around a little bit and gave them a lot of opportunities for extended innings. If you can't take care of the ball and can't string any hits together, it's difficult to score. They have a good ball club."
The series will conclude with game three on Sunday. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
