RELATED LINKS: NCAA REGION RANKINGS | GSC CHAMP CENTRAL 

OXFORD, Ala. - In a rematch of the 2023 Gulf South Conference Title Game, the University of West Alabama Softball team fell to the University of Alabama in Huntsville in a 1-0 contest Friday afternoon.  

UWA falls to 34-18, while Alabama Huntsville advances to 39-15 and will play Auburn Montgomery later Friday evening in the semifinal round.  

Katie Bracken pitched a game for the ages for the Chargers, going the distance with no hits, 12 strikeouts, and three walks. In the win, she retired 21 of the 25 batters she faced.  

Kelsie Gilliam got the Tigers on base with a hit by pitch to start the offense. Bracken would walk Marissa Mitchell two at-bats later, putting West Alabama in great position early. Unfortunately, UWA could not capitalize on the opportunity as a flyout and a strikeout put an end to the momentum.  

Lawren Hayes scored the lone run of the contest in the top of the third inning with an RBI triple after a fielder's choice got Caitlin Bryson on base in the previous at-bat.  

West Alabama will now await the opportunity to receive an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers are currently ranked fifth in the latest NCAA South Region Rankings.  

The Selection Show will take place at 9 a.m. on Monday and will be broadcast on NCAA.com