FLORENCE, Ala. (March 7, 2026) – The University of North Alabama softball team is red hot entering Sunday, as the Lions will put a five-game win streak on the line in a doubleheader with Detroit Mercy set to begin at 2 p.m. at Hilda B. Anderson Softball Stadium.

UNA has a 15-4 record and has won 10 of its last 11 games. The Lions are perfect at home to begin the season with a 5-0 record.

However, Detroit Mercy comes to town as one of UNA's most recent thorns in the side, splitting a doubleheader each of the last two seasons. The Titans look to shake a three-game skid and improve on a 3-11 start to the season against a tough road schedule.

First pitch is set for 2 p.m. and the second game will follow immediately after. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned on social media and on RoarLions.com for weather updates. This twin bill was originally scheduled for Saturday, but was moved to Sunday in hopes of missing the inclement weather.

Both games will air on ESPN+ with "Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray and Grant Wakefield on the call. Live stats are available at RoarLions.com and tickets can be purchased at this link.
 

SERIES INFO
Teams: North Alabama vs. Detroit Mercy
Dates: Sunday, March 8
Times: 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Location: Florence, Alabama
Venue: Hilda B. Anderson Softball Stadium (Built in 2006; Named in 2019)
Game Notes: Click Here
 
Game 1 — ESPN+ | Live Stats | Tickets 
Game 2 — ESPN+ | Live Stats | Tickets 
 

NOTES

LAST TIME OUT: This past Wednesday, the Lions welcomed Oakland University to Florence for a bonus doubleheader not originally on the schedule. UNA dominated with         a 9-0 shutout and a 7-1 rout in the nightcap, scoring all 16 runs within the first two innings of each game. Sophomore Holly Merritt was the star of the show, smacking three homers and driving in seven runs. Senior Alivia Wilken completed a shutout in the opener with just four hits allowed, no walks and three strikeouts, while fellow senior Katie Simon improved to 7-0 with just one run allowed over 5.0 innings. Sophomore Kaylee Snyder finished it off with two scoreless and hitless innings.

WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS: Speaking of Merritt and Simon, both were honored the past few weeks as ASUN Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively. Merritt is leading the Lions with a .450 batting average, including seven homers and five doubles. Over the last four games, Merritt has 14 RBI. In the circle, Simon has a pitched 42.2 innings without a loss and owns a 2.13 ERA with two shutouts. Opponents are hitting just .216 off her.

LIONS ON STREAKS: The Lions have won five straight to open the home slate. A key reason for this is UNA's consistent offense, as junior third baseman Bayleigh Rouse has reached safely in 17 straight games and has a nine-game hitting streak. Senior centerfielder Gyvan Hammons has reached in 14 straight with a seven-game hit streak from the leadoff spot, while true freshman infielder Livy Huter has reached in 12 straight with a five-game hit streak.

MOVE OVER DOVER: Junior Briley Dover has been a steady rock for the Lions since her freshman season, playing third base, shortstop and second base this season. Her bat in the two spot has also been crucial, as she has 10 multi-hit games and eight games with multiple runs scored — including a four-run game against Southern. Dover is batting .438 this season with 28 hits to rank fifth in the Atlantic Sun Conference.

LEAGUE LEADERS: UNA currently leads the ASUN with a .338 batting average and ranks second behind defending champion North Florida with a 3.30 ERA. Dover leads the ASUN with 25 runs scored, while senior Rylee Tittle has the fewest hits allowed among pitchers with at least 20 innings pitched this season.

NCAA RANKS: UNA has the 38th best batting average of 308 teams in the NCAA, while ranking 33rd in scoring with over seven runs per game. Dover is ranked among the top 30 NCAA players in runs per game, while Merritt is ranked among the top 30 in RBI.

SCOUTING THE TITANS: Detroit Mercy has played all 14 games on the road or at neutral sites, sitting at 3-11 with wins over Drake, Butler and Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Senior catcher Trinity Fessler has been a force in both halves of the inning, batting .344 on offense while also ranking 17th in the NCAA with six runners caught stealing this season. Freshman Savannah Schultz is the top pitcher for the Titans with 40.0 innings and a 5.43 ERA. Dan Vitale enters his third season at the helm.

SERIES HISTORY: Detroit Mercy has stolen one game in each of the last two years, as the series is split 2-2. The teams split in both 2024 and 2025 at Hilda B. Anderson Softball Stadium. UNA won 6-2 in 2024 and 6-0 in 2025. Detroit Mercy's two wins were tight games, including a 2-0 win in 2024 and a 3-2 loss in 2025. 

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