CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (March 21, 2026) – The University of North Alabama softball team opened a three-game series between two Atlantic Sun Conference contenders on Saturday at Austin Peay, falling 8-0 in game one before answering with a 5-0 win in game two in Clarksville, Tenn.

With the win, North Alabama (20-7, 3-2 ASUN) locks up its 12th straight season with 20 or more wins — excluding the 2020 and 2021 seasons that were shortened and limited by COVID-19. UNA also remains among the top three teams in the ASUN Gold Division standings alongside EKU and Central Arkansas.

In the opener, UNA suffered a run-rule shutout for the first time this season and just the sixth time in the Division I era. The Lions have now played 351 games since the move up in 2019. This extended a 10-game home winning streak for Austin Peay (19-12, 2-3 ASUN).

The tables turned in the nightcap, as fifth-year senior Alivia Wilken handed the Govs their first shutout of the season. She was two outs away from a no-hitter, but finished off the complete game shutout in a 5-0 win to even the series.

UNA is the first team to both defeat Austin Peay in Clarksville and to do so in a shutout since Central Arkansas did it in April of last season. UNA took two of three from Central Arkansas in a series last weekend.

Seven different Lions recorded a hit over the two games. One of those was senior Gyvan Hammons, who stole three bases in the two games. Another was sophomore Jenna Madison, who smashed her first collegiate home run in game two.

Game 1: Austin Peay 8, North Alabama 0 (5 innings)

In a game where both teams combined for just six hits, Austin Peay took game one with an abrupt fifth-inning home run by ASUN Preseason Player of the Year Brie Howard to win 8-0.

UNA rolled out senior Katie Simon for game one, who has been dominant all season with an 8-1 record. The Govs were able to tack on four runs in the first three inning, but all four game on either free passes or sacrifice flies. Kaylee Snyder took over in the third inning and got out of the jam. However, the fifth inning took a strange turn as two swings of the bat put the game out of reach. This gave Simon just her second loss in 14 starts.

Hammons led off the first with a single, then stole second for an early threat. Two more Lions reached in the third on a walk by senior catcher Natalie Shaw and an error that reached junior Briley Dover.

Outside of those runners, Austin Peay's Alanah Jones was able to keep the basepaths clear for her 12th win of the season. However, this was not her last appearance of the day.
 

Pitchers of Record
W – Alanah Jones (12-5)
L – Katie Simon (8-2)
S – None

Game 2: North Alabama 5, Austin Peay 0

The Govs rolled out Jones for game two, hoping to get more of her first game magic. The Lions turned to a fresh Alivia Wilken, who responded with a statement.

Wilken went 7.0 innings and recorded a shutout, allowing just one hit in the final inning. The former Buckhorn High School ace has three shutouts this season, including games against West Georgia and Oakland. The Austin Peay shutout dropped her season ERA from 2.91 to 2.58.

While the Govs struggled to make contact, the Lions got six hits off the Govs with two on Jones and four on reliever Cameron Grayson. Jones went 4.0 innings after going 5.0 in the opener, allowing just one run. However, UNA dealt her sixth loss of the season.

The go-ahead run came courtesy of sophomore transfer Jenna Madison, who skied her first collegiate home run in the third inning to make it 1-0. Madison, a former Curry High School standout who spent her freshman season at UAB, also made a diving catch at shortstop to impact the game defensively.

The fifth inning brought some insurance for Wilken, as Hammons and Shaw drew back-to-back walks. Hammons and pinch runner Katie Davis both stole a base, allowing Bayleigh Rouse to smack a two-RBI single and make it 3-0. A few at-bats later, freshman Karley Moreland hit a sharp chopper to the pitcher and got it through for another two-RBI hit. This one scored sophomore Holly Merritt, who reached on a single, and freshman Claire Wright, who pinch ran for Rouse.

Wilken carried her no-hitter into the seventh inning and got Katie Raper to fly out, but Kiley Hinton ended it with a double in the gap. Another runner reached on a walk, putting the tying run in the hole. Wilken did not let that threat come into the on deck circle, forcing an infield fly and recording the final out herself.

Pitchers of Record
W – Alivia Wilken (7-3)
L – Alanah Jones (12-6)
S – None
 

COMING UP NEXT

The series will be decided tomorrow at 1 p.m.

UNA will look for its first series win in Clarksville since 2023. The Lions now have a 10-8 advantage in the all-time series.

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.