MEMPHIS, Tenn., – The University of North Alabama softball team closed the regular season in impressive fashion on Sunday. The Lions tied a Gulf South Conference single-game record with seven home runs in a 15-3 win at Christian Brothers. The six-inning victory gives UNA a 46-5 record heading into the upcoming GSC tournament, which the Lions will host April 28-May 1 in Florence.
Three other GSC teams have recorded seven homers in a game, most recently by West Alabama in 2013. The total also gives the Lions 15 homers in the three-game series against CBU, as well as a school-record 75 home runs on the year. With a 30-3 record in GSC play, North Alabama also now owns the GSC record for conference wins in a season.
On Sunday, the Lions used an eight-run first inning to take control early in the game. After two quick outs, UNA had the next 10 batters reach base, including three home runs in the frame.
After an RBI-double by Brooklynn Clark gave UNA a 1-0 lead, Anna Gayle Norris started the home run derby with a three-run shot to left center. Madeline Lee then followed with a solo shot to make it 5-0. After a walk, Peyton DeLong connected on her first homer of the season to put UNA ahead 7-0. Reagan Tittle finished the scoring in the first inning with an RBI-double.
Christian Brothers answered with two runs in the bottom of the first inning before Mackenzie Roberts added to the Lions' lead in the top of the third. Her solo home run was the sixth of the year for the freshman from Tuscumbia.
After the Bucs added another run in the bottom of the fourth inning, UNA hit three more homers in the top of the fifth to evoke the mercy rule.
DeLong led of the frame with a solo shot to left field. After Tittle and Clark drove in runs with base hits to make the score 12-3, Harlie Barkley hit a two-run bomb to left center. Norris followed with her second homer of the day to wrap up the scoring.
For the game, UNA totaled 16 hits. Bailey Nelson was 3-for-4 at the plate while Tittle, Clark, Norris, Lee and DeLong added two hits each.
Hannah Bodenhorn pitched her second complete game of the year to get the win in the circle. The freshman allowed three runs on eight hits with four strikeouts to improve to 2-1 on the season.
UNA will received a bye in the first round of the GSC Tournament and will open play Thursday at 5:30 p.m. against the winner of the 4/5 seed matchup. A complete bracket, along with tournament information will soon be available at www.roarlions.com.