OXFORD, Ala. — The University of West Alabama Softball team punched their ticket to the GSC Championship game with a come from behind, 6-5, win over UAH on Friday.
UWA (42-12-1) fell down, 5-2, before using a four-run sixth inning to seal the win over UAH (36-22). Alexis Parson delivered a clutch two-out, two-run single before ShaKeria Washington launched a two-run homer to put the Tigers ahead for good.
Eleanor De Block got the start for the Tigers and went all 7.0 innings.
In the first inning, West Alabama took an early lead. Haley Shannon began the action with a bunt single and was later driven home via an RBI-single from Kayla Morris.
UAH responded with a run in both the second and third inning. Hannah Temple tied the game at one in the second inning with an RBI-double before Alexis Douhitt gave the Chargers a brief lead with an RBI-single in the third.
In the bottom of the third, the Tigers punched back. Ella Watson delivered a two-out RBI-single that scored Trinity Hatcher to tie the game at 2-2 after three innings.
UAH inched ahead in the fourth inning with an unearned run, before adding two more runs in the top of the sixth, putting the Tigers behind, 5–2.
Down 5-2 in the sixth, it was arguably a make or break inning for West Alabama as they were down to their final six outs. UWA flexed their clutch gene, using a four-run inning to regain the lead. Parson came off the bench and put together a stellar at-bat that ended with the freshman recording a two-run single to cut the deficit to one. Moments later, Washington launched a go-ahead two-run homer. This rally pushed the Tigers ahead 6–5 by the end of the inning.
De Block made her way back in the circle, attempting to record another complete game and send UWA to the GSC Championship game. The senior ran into some trouble as Mia Brown tripled to right field with just one out in the inning. De Block worked her way out of the jam, forcing a popup and striking out UAH's Kylie Ballentine to clinch the game for the Tigers.
Washington made a significant impact with two hits, including her massive go-ahead home run in the sixth. Parson's pinch hit two-run single was also a massive moment in the game. Shannon scored twice and recorded two hits in her outing. De Block pitched a complete game, striking out four batters over 7 innings.
West Alabama will now play Trevecca Nazarene in the GSC Championship on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
