LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The No. 21 University of West Alabama softball team defeated Georgia Southwestern State University in a midweek crossover doubleheader at the UWA Softball Complex on Tuesday night. defeating the Hurricanes 5-1 and 11-1.
GAME ONE: West Alabama 5, Georgia Southwestern State 1
West Alabama started off the first game on a high note, striking first with a Marissa Mitchell two-run homer in the opening frame, giving the Tigers the early 2-0 advantage.
Ann Marie Stanbridge and Savana Bradford exchanged blows in the circle through the top of the fourth, allowing only one hit between the two.
Stanbridge would break the scoring silence with her bat in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI double to extend UWA's lead to 3-0.
A wild pitch later in the inning brought pinch runner Gaddy Utsey across the plate to extend the lead to four runs.
Kendall Huelsman responded quickly in the top of the fifth, hitting an RBI single into left field,.
The Hurricanes rally was extinguished two batters later as Jacie Johns grounded out to Taylor Clegg at third base.
A Gilliam RBI double in the sixth put the icing on the cake for the home team, as the Tiger defense shut down the Hurricanes to clinch the game one victory.
Ann Marie Stanbridge snagged her second win of the season in the circle, striking out two and allowing only one run on four hits.
GAME TWO: West Alabama 11, Georgia Southwestern State 1
Emily Cowart started the scoring for the Tigers in the night cap, hitting a two-run home run in the bottom of the second to strike first.
The UWA offense would fire off five more runs in the bottom of the third, capped off back-to-back RBi hits by Mary Grace Sheffield and Kori Young to swell the lead to 7-0.
Isabel Marcotte put a dent in the West Alabama lead in their next outing with a solo shot.
GSW's efforts would not be nearly enough as the Tigers added four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, extending the lead to 11-1 thanks to the help of two Hurricane errors.
The UWA defense clutched up again in the top of the fifth, allowing no runs in the top of the fifth, ending the contest via run-rule.
Emily Cowart led the way with two runs scored on two hits and four RBIs.
Madison Wright boasted a string outing, striking out eight Hurricane batters and allowing only one hit to earn the win in the circle.
"I loved our team's energy today. We played well in all facets of the game and executed well in key moments," said head coach Stephanie Defeo.
West Alabama advances to 16-9 overall. Georgia Southwestern falls to 12-17 on the year.
The Tigers will resume Gulf South Conference action on the road this weekend against Delta State. The First pitch of Saturday's doubleheader with the Lady Statesmen is set for 1 p.m. in Cleveland, Mississippi.
