LIVINGSTON, Ala. — The University of West Alabama Softball team extended their win streak to three on Friday after a doubleheader sweep over Emmanuel at the UWA Softball Complex. The Tigers took Game One, 10-3, before winning the night cap, 10-2.
West Alabama's (7-3-1) offense flexed their muscles on Friday as UWA hit .346 on the day along with five extra base hits, leading them to their doubleheader sweep over Emmanuel (0-6).
GAME ONE: West Alabama 10, Emmanuel 3
Eleanor De Block got the start for the Tigers in Game One and went 3.0 innings.
In the first inning, UWA took an early lead after
Jessica Rose singled and
Ann Marie Stanbridge doubled to set up
Ella Watson, who delivered an RBI single. A subsequent obstruction call allowed Stanbridge to score, putting West Alabama ahead 2-1 after the first.
The second inning saw UWA extend its lead with a three-run surge.
Carolyn Cagle, after being hit by a pitch and stealing second, scored on a fielder's choice by Rose. A sacrifice fly by Stanbridge brought home another run, and Rose stole home to cap the inning, making it 5-3 after the second.
The Tigers added another run in the third inning courtesy of an RBI-single from
Trinity Brooks.
A pivotal fourth inning featured a two-run homer by Watson, followed by another two-run homer by
Kayla Morris after an error, contributing to a four-run inning. This extended West Alabama's lead to 10-3 after the fourth.
The defense held firm in the remaining innings, with UWA preventing any further scoring from the Lions as they cruised to a seven-run victory.
Rose recorded two hits, drove in one run, and scored three times while stealing two bases. Watson contributed with two hits, including a home run, and drove in three runs while drawing two walks. Stanbridge added a double and an RBI, scoring once, and also pitched four innings with five strikeouts, allowing no earned runs. Morris hit a home run, collected two RBIs, and walked once, while also scoring a run.
GAME TWO: West Alabama 10, Emmanuel 2
Megan Roe got the start in Game Two and pitched 4.2 innings, picking up her third win of the season.
The Lions took an early lead in the first inning, capitalizing on a sacrifice fly by Ashley Fountain which brought Grace Ausborn home. The Tigers responded forcefully in the third inning, scoring six runs. The rally began with Cagle's single, followed by a series of strategic plays, including an RBI fielder's choice by Rose and a Lions' error that advanced multiple runners. The inning concluded with a sacrifice fly by Morris, bringing the score to 6-2 in favor of the Tigers after the third.
In the fourth inning, UWA continued its offensive momentum with two more runs. Cagle's single set the stage for Brooks, who tripled to drive in a run, followed by an RBI bunt single from
Haley Shannon. This increased the lead to 8-2 by the end of the fourth inning. A single run was added in both the fifth and sixth innings. Watson's walk and subsequent steal set up a fielder's choice RBI by
Hailey Thurber in the fifth. In the sixth, La'Taviona Parke's RBI-single brought Rose home to cap off the scoring.
Defensively, West Ala. maintained composure, allowing no runs from the fourth inning onward. The pitching staff limited the Lions to six hits over the game and effectively neutralized threats in crucial moments.
Shannon posted two hits and one RBI, contributing a run to UWA's performance. Rose scored twice and drove in a run, showcasing effectiveness despite not recording a hit. Parke added three RBIs, providing crucial support at the plate. Brooks delivered a triple, scoring twice and adding an RBI in the process.
West Alabama will remain at home for a non-conference doubleheader against Miles College on Wednesday, beginning at 4:00 p.m.
