OXFORD, Ala. - The University of West Alabama softball team recorded 10 hits in an 8-1 elimination game routing of Union University in the GSC Softball Championship at Choccolocco Park Wednesday morning.
No. 7 seed UWA advances to 34-17, while No. 6 seed UU finishes the season at 29-23.
The Tigers found themselves in great shape in the top of the first, taking advantage of two Lady Bulldog fielding errors and a fielder's choice, setting up Marissa Mitchell and Taylor Clegg in scoring position.
Ann Marie Stanbridge sent both runners home with an RBI double.
West Alabama went right back to work in the second inning, loading the bases with a walk and two singles.
Mitchell bumped the lead up to 4-0 with the Tigers second RBI double of the day.
After advancing to third on a throw, the UWA shortstop scored run number five off a wild pitch.
West Alabama's situational base work continued to be significant into the third inning as Riley Sullivan worked her way to third via walk, wild pitch and a sacrifice groundout.
Emily Cowart brought Sullivan home with a one-out RBI double.
With the bases juiced and only one out later in the inning, Riley Vaughn allowed a Kelsie Gilliam walk to score the Tigers seventh run.
The Tigers had an opportunity to close out the contest in five innings with Kelsie Gilliam in scoring position with two outs, but a strikeout ended the run-rule campaign for UWA.
Mackenzie David put a dent in the Tiger lead, 7-1, with an RBI double in the top of the sixth.
With Sullivan on third base and two outs, Mary Grace Sheffield tripled to left center to extend the West Alabama lead back out to seven runs.
Madison Wright and the Tiger defense locked down in the top of the seventh, closing out the contest with a double play and a flyout.
Wright (23-9) pitched her second straight complete game, striking out six batters.
Marissa Mitchell and Ann Marie Stanbridge each recorded two RBIs.
West Alabama will face the loser of the Alabama Huntsville and Mississippi College contest Thursday evening on Friday afternoon in an elimination game at Choccolocco Park. The first pitch is set for 12:30 p.m.
