LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Softball team got the Senior Day victory over No. 25 Alabama Huntsville, 7-5, Saturday afternoon at the UWA Softball Complex.
Before the contest, the Tigers celebrated Senior Day by honoring its five seniors: Emily Cowart, Kelsie Gilliam, Mary Grace Sheffield, Kori Young, and Karley McDaniel.
The Chargers took the lead early with an Alexa Douhitt home run in the top of the first inning.
After a two-out triple from Taylor Clegg, Marissa Mitchell tied up the contest with an RBI single in the bottom of third inning.
Jada Henderson gave the visitors back the lead in the top of the fourth, 2-1, with an RBI single.
Mitchell tied the game back up with an RBI sacrifice fly to start up a three-run fifth inning for the Tigers.
Ann Marie Stanbridge capped off the scoring burst with a two-RBI double, giving West Alabama the lead again, 4-2.
The Tigers used small ball as Kori Young and Karley McDaniel pushed the Tiger lead to 5-2 in the sixth inning with back-to-back sacrifice bunts.
Mitchell smashed her third hit of the day with a two run triple, her first of the season, to push the UWA advantage to 7-2.
In the top of the seventh, Alabama Huntsville wouldn't go down without a fight, as they cut the lead to two runs with a Sadie Thompson RBI double followed by a Douthitt two-run shot.
Fortunately for the Tigers, the defense settled in and retired the Chargers' final three batters to secure the game three win and avoid the weekend sweep.
Marissa Mitchell led the way with two hits and four RBIs and Anne Marie Stanbridge added two RBIs of her own.
Madison Wright (19-8) pitched a complete game and threw the game clinching strikeout.
In her final game at the UWA Softball Complex, Karley McDaniel recorded a hit and an RBI.
West Alabama moves to 29-16 overall and 13-14 in Gulf South Conference play. Alabama Huntsville, ranked 25th in the country by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II poll, falls to 35-13 and 20-7.
The Tigers will travel to Miles on Wednesday for a midweek doubleheader. The first pitch is set for 2 pm from Pleasant Grove, Alabama.
