JACKSON, Tenn. – Union used 10 hits and three West Alabama errors to drive nine runs across the plate, defeating the Tigers 9-1 in Game 3 to take the Gulf South Conference series two games to one at the Fesmire Softball Field on Saturday.
The Lady Bulldogs improve to 18-14 overall, moving to 6-12 in the league. The Tigers fall to 17-18 on the season, dropping to 8-10 among GSC competition.
"We didn't do anything well today," UWA head coach Carie Dever-Boaz said. "We stranded base-runner after base-runner, we couldn't hit the changeup or make any adjustments.
"I felt like we were mentally ready, but we just acted shell-shocked and sat back after they scored three runs in the first inning."
West Alabama struck in the top of the first, taking a 1-0 lead after
Sarah Beth King singled in
Allison Craft, who reached on a walk to batters prior and advanced to second on a base-hit off the bat of
Kierra Hague.
However, Union would score three runs in the bottom of the frame, starting with an RBI double from Ashley Scott. Gabby Morris hammered a two-run shot over center field on the next at-bat, giving the Lady Bulldogs a 3-1 advanatge.
"This game was about being mentally tough," Dever-Boaz said. "You have to battle the weather and errors, but you have you have to be able to bounce back."
Hannah Ridolfi's second inning base-hit scored Rachel Ridolfi, pushing the margin to 4-1 before a throwing error on a double-steal attempt allowed Emily Bennett to touch home. Haley Barnette's double to left field scored two more Union base runners, widening the gap to 7-1.
The Lady Bulldogs added two runs on three hits over the next two frames to secure the 9-1 victory in the series finale.
Bennett, Scott, Barnett and R. Ridofli led Union at the plate with two hits each. H. Ridofli and Morris chipped in a hit apiece in the win.
Chelsea Lobitos paced Tiger batters with two hits, while
Audrey Diekmann,
Jenna Goldsmith,
Ashley Smart and Hague each recorded a hit.
"I though
Abby McKee did an excellent job pitching. She came in and virtually shut them down and gave up just one earned run."
H. Ridolfi (11-7) earns the pitching win, allowing one run on seven hits while striking out seven UWA batters.
Andrea Edmonds (13-14) takes the loss, giving up six earned runs on seven hits in 1.2 innings of work. McKee allowed one earned run on three hits while picking up her first collegiate strikeout in relief of Edmonds.
"I'm frustrated," Dever-Boaz said. "We have a lot of battle wounds, but so does everybody. I'm not going to make any excuses; we just didn't perform today."
The Tigers will return to Livingston, Alabama, to take on Lee (22-10, 9-6 GSC) in a GSC series, beginning with a double header on Saturday. First pitch at the UWA Softball Complex is slated for noon.
