LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Andrea Edmonds struck out eight batters, limiting Delta State to just one run as West Alabama softball took its first Gulf South Conference series win of the season, defeating the Lady Statesmen 5-1 in game three at the UWA Softball Complex on Sunday.

With the win, the Tigers improve to 5-7 on the season and move to 2-1 in league play. The Lady Statesmen fall to 7-7, dropping to 1-2 in the GSC.

"That was a huge series," UWA head coach Carie Dever-Boaz said. "Our girls fought, and they got better as the series went on. They are buying in to being aggressive, and they are on a mission."

"They executed on suicides and ran bases very well, unlike yesterday," Dever-Boaz said. "Every day it seems like we take three steps forward and then one back, but as long as we're progressively moving forward, I couldn't be any more tickled."

The Tigers never trailed, striking first in the bottom of the second inning as a Chelsea Lobitos single drove Allison Craft, who reached on a lead-off double, home for a 1-0 lead.

After Lobitos advanced to third on a ground ball from Sarah Beth King, a passed ball allowed the second basemen to cross the plate, extending UWA's lead to 2-0.

Delta State scored their lone run on a third-inning homer from Mari Alex Sandridge. However, a three-run fourth inning would seal the deal for West Alabama.

Ashley Smart led off the Tigers' half of the fourth with a single, while Lobitos reached on fielding error before a sacrifice from King moved both runners to third and second, respectively.

"(Savannah) Smathers came in a did exactly what I wanted her to," Dever-Boaz said. "Here, you've got a slapper up with runners at second and third, so they are thinking a squeeze bunt and she put it right past the pitcher."

A squeeze bunt from Smathers moved past the pitcher, allowing Smart to cross the plate. The Tigers would clear the bases on another passed ball as Lobitos came around to score for the second time before an errant attempt to catch Smathers at home missed its mark, moving West Alabama ahead 5-1.

Smart led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-3 while scoring a run. Lobitos went 1-for-3 with a run-batted-in. Sandridge led the Lady Statesmen with a home run on her only hit of the game.

Andrea Edmonds (4-5) earns the win, giving up just five hits while sitting down eight in her third complete game and second of the series. Sandridge (1-1) takes the loss, allowing five runs on five hits and walking three in 3.1 innings of work.

"Every one of these girls have really brought so much to the team," Dever-Boaz said. "There's something to be said about chemistry, and I think we have it."

The Tigers will hit the road for a mid-week double header against Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference-competition Miles College on Wednesday. First pitch in Birmingham, Alabama, is set for 2 p.m.