CARROLLTON, Ga. – Three hits in the first inning and a solo home run off the bat of Peyton Stallworth paved the way for a West Georgia win, defeating West Alabama 2-0 in Gulf South Conference softball action at University Softball Field on Friday.
 
With the win, the Wolves (24-21, 14-14 GSC) now hold sole possession of seventh place in the league with a half-game lead over Shorter (24-21, 13-14 GSC), who sits in eighth.
 
The Tigers (20-27, 10-18 GSC) remain in 10^th, sitting three and a half games out of the number eight spot and a game and a half behind Delta State (18-22, 11-16 GSC).
 
"I thought [Andrea Edmonds] threw a good game," Dever-Boaz said. "They just strung together some well timed hits in the first inning and hit a homerun late.
 
"The bottom line is that we have to be able to score runs. We left the bases loaded in the first and had four runners in scoring position throughout the rest of the game and couldn't do anything with it. We have to be able to get the key hit, execute the hit-and-run and stay on the bag when we steal bases."
 
Katie Spinks reached on a one-out single and stole second before Summer Wallace drove her in on a single to right field for a 1-0 UWG lead after the first inning. Stallworth's sixth inning solo shot capped the scoring on the day, leaving the score line at a final 2-0.
 
"It's frustrating, but we are right there in it," Dever-Boaz said. "We just need to find a way to drive that run in when we are pitching and playing defense well.
 
"The thing I liked most was our mental game. We didn't implode following the error like we've done before, but at some point we have to be able to bust through and find a way to win."
 
Spinks and Wallace paced the Wolves with two hits apiece while Lexie Stohr, Marley Stowers and Stallworth recorded a hit in the win. Audrey Diekmann, Jenna Goldsmith and Abby McKee each posted one of three Tiger hits.
 
Danielle Easterly (7-6) earns the win, giving up three hits in her first shutout of the season. Andrea Edmonds (16-22) takes the loss, allowing two runs on seven hits.
 
The Tigers will conclude the GSC series against the Wolves with a double header on Saturday. First pitch at University Softball Field is set for noon CDT.