UWA Softball Preview vs. Shorter

The Series
West Alabama and Shorter University are set to start their Gulf South Conference series Saturday with a doubleheader and Sunday with a single game.

Where
All three games will be at the UWA Softball Complex on the UWA Campus in Livingston, Alabama.

When
Saturday's doubleheader is set for a noon start with the second game currently set for 2 p.m. Sunday's series finale will start at 1 p.m.

Live Stats
Live stats for all three games can be found HERE.

Live Video
A live video feed is available HERE. Live audio will accompany the video and will be provided by Janet Montgomery

Tigers for Paws
UWA Softball will be accepting donations of cat foods and dog foods during the weekend series to aide local shelters during Tigers for Paws. UWA student Anna Holycross, who runs the cat shelter, will be on hand Saturday to throw the first pitch and UWA Professor Valarie Burns, who runs the dog shelter will throw the first pitch Sunday.

West Alabama
The Tigers are 12-10 overall and 6-5 in league play after winning two of three over the Montevallo Falcons. UWA won the Friday contest 6-2 and split the Saturday doubleheader with a 7-6 win in eight innings in game one and an 8-7 loss on a walk off single.

Shorter University
The Hawks are 13-12 overall and 6-7 in league play but have lost three straight games starting with a loss to conference opponent Christian Brothers (8-5) and a doubleheader sweep to Georgia Southwestern Wednesday.

On Time for the First Time
The series between West Alabama and Shorter will be the first games to not be changed due to inclement weather since the UAH Charger Chillout. Although there's still time for that to change by Saturday morning.

Last Season
UWA defeated Shorter 5-1 in their one meeting on Feb. 18, 2018 during the GSC Crossover in Montgomery, Alabama. Carleigh Mills threw all seven innings and finished with six strikeouts while Kendall Johnson finished with two RBIs.

Good at Her Craft
Junior catcher Alli Craft is on a tear over the last couple of weeks. The native of Chelsey, Alabama has had two hits in four of the last five games with eight RBIs, four runs scored, two homers and two doubles. She leads the team with seven multi-hit games.

Nikki B. Balling
Sophomore outfielder Nicole Buccieri has been on a similar tear with a hit in 10-straight games for the Tigers. Overcoming an early season slump, the native of Madison, Alabama has raised her average to .340 and is second on the team with 12 RBIs.

Small Ball Tactics
Hayes Fulford leads the GSC in sacrifice bunts with six, while Kendall Johnson has five and Kacy Noland has four sac bunts.

Current Streaks
Multiple Game Hitting Streaks: Nicole Buccieri (10), Alli Craft (6), Hayes Fulford (3), Kacy Noland (3), Olivia Dunlap (2).

Multple Game Reached Base Streaks: Nicole Buccieri (11), Alli Craft (6), Hayes Fulford (3), Kacy Noland (3), Olivia Dunlap (2).

UWA Player Stats

Player	Pos.	G-GS	Avg.	HR	RBI	K	BB	SB-ATT
Alii Craft	C	21-18	.353	3	15	12	5	3-3
Nicole Buccieri	OF	21-16	.340	3	12	4	8	0-0
Kacy Noland	1B/P	22-22	.324	0	10	2	4	3-3
Hayes Fulford	SS	22-20	.304	0	9	4	2	6-6

Pitcher	L-R.	App.-GS	W-L	ERA	IP	K	BB	SV
Nora Keehn	RHP	15-11	7-4	2.25	71.2	32	6	0

Up Next
West Alabama will host pair of nonconference foes for midweek doubleheaders with Spring Hill College coming on Tuesday, March 19 starting at 3 p.m. and Talladega College on Thursday, March 21 at 4 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#19 Nicole Buccieri: OF; 5' 6"; Sophomore; R/R

#8 Alli Craft: C; 5' 7"; Junior; R/R

#25 Olivia Dunlap: OF; 5' 4"; Senior; L/R

#23 Hayes Fulford: 3B/SS; 5' 6"; Junior; R/R

#5 Kendall Johnson: MIF; 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R

#13 Nora Keehn: RHP; 5' 7"; Senior; R/R

#15 Carleigh Mills: RHP; 5' 10"; Senior; R/R

#33 Kacy Noland: RHP; 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#19 Nicole Buccieri
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF

#8 Alli Craft
: 5' 7"; Junior; R/R
: C

#25 Olivia Dunlap
: 5' 4"; Senior; L/R
: OF

#23 Hayes Fulford
: 5' 6"; Junior; R/R
: 3B/SS

#5 Kendall Johnson
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R
: MIF

#13 Nora Keehn
: 5' 7"; Senior; R/R
: RHP

#15 Carleigh Mills
: 5' 10"; Senior; R/R
: RHP

#33 Kacy Noland
: 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R
: RHP