LIVINGSTON, Ala. — The University of West Alabama Softball team swept their midweek doubleheader over Miles College on Wednesday night, taking Game One, 8-0, and Game Two, 9-2.
Eleanor De Block shined in Game One, throwing the first no-hitter of her career to lead West Alabama (8-3-1) to their 8-0 shutout win. In Game Two, UWA showcased patience at the plate, drawing a season-high eight walks along with nine hits, leading to a seven-run win over Miles (5-6) to cap off the day.
GAME ONE: West Alabama 8, Miles 0
The scoring began in the second inning when
Ella Watson singled down the left field line, followed by a walk to
La'taviona Parke. After a sacrifice bunt advanced both runners, Watson scored on a sacrifice fly by
Sha'Keria Washington.
Carolyn Cagle then singled, bringing Parke home, and
Trinity Brooks added another single.
Haley Shannon's bunt single allowed Cagle to score, ending the inning with a 3-0 lead for the Tigers.
In the third inning,
Ann Marie Stanbridge walked, and pinch-runner L. Austin scored on Watson's double. Watson then advanced on a stolen base and scored on a throwing error. Washington singled to drive in Parke, increasing the lead to 6-0.
The fourth inning saw
Lee Lott walking, followed by a single from Stanbridge. A sacrifice bunt by Watson moved both runners, and a walk to
Trinity Hatcher loaded the bases.
Alexis Parson reached on an error, allowing Lott and Stanbridge to score, bringing the score to 8-0.
In the top of the fifth, De Block carved through Miles' four, five, and six hitters to secure the no-hitter and an 8-0 win for UWA.
Watson posted a strong performance with two hits, including a double, while scoring twice and driving in a run. Washington added two RBIs and reached base with a hit and a walk.
GAME TWO: West Alabama 9, Miles 2
Megan Roe got the start in Game Two for West Alabama and surrendered a run in the first inning. The Tigers weren't able to respond in the bottom half, taking a one-run deficit into the second.
In the second inning, UWA capitalized on several passed balls and a wild pitch. Watson scored on a passed ball, and
Kayla Morris followed, scoring on a wild pitch. Shannon drove in
Jessica Rose with a single, putting them ahead 3-1 at the end of the second inning.
The third inning saw the Tigers extend its lead. Watson, Morris, and Hatcher all scored on a sacrifice fly by Washington, aided by a throwing error. This brought the score to 6-1 in their favor after three innings.
West Alabama continued its scoring in the fourth inning. Cagle scored on a passed ball, and
Daphne Fowler, pinch-running, scored on a sacrifice fly by Morris. The inning concluded with UWA leading 8-1.
In the fifth inning, the Golden Bears added a run when Trinity Collier scored on a single by Auriel Moultry. However, West Alabama quickly responded when
Lizzy Austin, pinch-running, scored on a bases-loaded walk. They held a 9-2 lead at the end of the fifth inning and that score would hold for the remainder of the contest.
Shannon recorded three hits and one RBI while stealing a base. Washington contributed with three RBIs and one hit, drawing a walk as well. Watson scored twice and earned three walks, adding a stolen base to her performance. Roe pitched five innings, allowing only one earned run on three hits and striking out two batters.
West Alabama will be begin conference play on the road this weekend, taking on No. 1 AUM in Montgomery.
