FLORENCE, Ala. (March 7, 2024) – After 20 games on the road, the University of North Alabama softball team returned home to Florence to kick off the UNA Invitational at Hilda B. Anderson Softball Stadium, splitting with Detroit Mercy on Thursday.
The Lions were stunned in game one, as the Titans picked up their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory. UNA regrouped and made adjustments for game two, answering with a 6-2 victory to send the fans home happy.
Weather permitting, UNA will play four more games this weekend, starting tomorrow at 9 a.m. against Maryland Eastern Shore.
Game 1 — Detroit Mercy 2, North Alabama 0
Junior Alivia Wilken pitched a three-hitter against Detroit Mercy in the home opener, but the Lions were unable to touch home in a 2-0 loss to the Titans.
Despite the loss, UNA doubled Detroit Mercy in hits with six, including two each from senior Felicity Frame and freshman Briley Dover. The Lions had five runners reach scoring position, but Detroit Mercy's Olivia Warrington held them at bay for her first victory in the circle this season.
The Titans scored their first run on a squeeze play, as shortstop Jada Davis bunted home Jenna Holt. Right fielder Alison Donaugh added a second run with a solo homer in the seventh.
Wilken allowed just two runs on the three hits with no walks and four strikeouts.
Pitchers of Record
W – Olivia Warrington (1-3)
L – Alivia Wilken (7-3)
S – None
Game 2 — North Alabama 6, Detroit Mercy 2
Once again, Detroit Mercy struck first with an early run, but UNA answered with six straight in the third and fourth innings en route to a 6-2 win in the nightcap.
Continuing her strong weekend, Donaugh hit an RBI single to put her team ahead. From there, UNA pitcher Hannah Embry buckled down and kept the Titans off the board long enough for the offense to take the lead.
Back-to-back RBI hits by senior Sidney Bevis and freshman Briley Dover put UNA ahead in the third inning. Following that, North Alabama tacked on four insurance runs with a two-RBI single by Bevis and a two-run homer by Hailey Jones.
The Titans pulled back within four after an RBI double in the fifth, but reliever Kyleigh Pitzer entered and allowed just one hit in 2.1 scoreless innings of work.
Pitchers of Record
W – Hannah Embry (2-0)
L – Claire Borg (0-3)
S – None
COMING UP NEXT
The Lions have four games remaining this weekend, including Maryland Eastern Shore and Southern Miss tomorrow morning. The Lions have rematches with Murray State and UMES on Saturday afternoon to close the weekend.
All times and days are subject to change due to weather.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
