CONWAY, Ark. (April 25, 2026) – The University of North Alabama softball team opened a three-game series between two ranked mid-major teams on Saturday, falling in two close games against Central Arkansas in a doubleheader to open the series in Conway, Ark.

The Lions, ranked No. 20 in the D1Softball Mid-Major Rankings, came into the weekend with a slim lead in the Atlantic Sun Conference Gold Division standings. However, No. 21 Central Arkansas used a 2-1 win in the opener and a 6-5 win in the nightcap to snatch the division lead.

UNA falls to 31-14 overall and 13-7 in conference play. Meanwhile, the Bears are now 13-5-1 in league play, including a tie with EKU last weekend due to a drop-dead time and a one-game cancellation with EKU earlier in the year due to weather.

In the opener, fifth-year senior Alivia Wilken engaged in a pitcher's duel and pitched a quality outing, but the Lions were edged 2-1. The UNA offense came alive in game two with 11 hits, but a sixth-inning homer by UCA prevented the equalizer.

The top three hitters in UNA's lineup — Gyvan Hammons, Briley Dover and Laura Leigh Wheeler — combined for 10 hits over the two games. Hammons had four hits, including three in the nightcap.
 

Game 1: Central Arkansas 2, North Alabama 1

Two home runs in the second inning proved to be enough for Central Arkansas in the series opener, as the Lions rallied late before falling 2-1.

Both teams had five hits, as UNA's Wilken and UCA's Bailie Runner went toe-to-toe in the circle. Both pitchers have serves as the ace for their respective staffs for the past three seasons.

UNA had three of its five hits in the sixth inning, including back-to-back leadoff singles by Hammons and Dover. In the three spot, Wheeler hit one off the tall fence in left field while the runners held in case of a catch, but the ball dropped and everyone moved up a base.

The Lions crossed their first run on a sacrifice fly from Holly Merritt to score Hammons. However, Runner got another flyout and a fielder's choice to end the threat and strand the tying run in scoring position. UNA went three-up, three-down in the seventh to end it.

Both pitchers went the distance, as Wilken completed a quality start despite the loss. She gave up just two runs on the two solo homers from Emma Robertson and Lilly Hood. She had one walk and one strikeout in the effort.

Outside of the three hits in the sixth, UNA also got hits from senior catcher Natalie Shaw and junior outfielder Emma Kate Wright. Shaw had the first hit of the game with a single to right, while Wright smashed one off the right-center wall for a double.
 

Pitchers of Record
W – Bailie Runner (14-6)
L – Alivia Wilken (12-5)
S – None
 

Game 2: Central Arkansas 6, North Alabama 5

The Bears scored four runs in the second inning — three unearned — to take control early in game two, but the Lions stormed back with a three-run sixth inning to tie what was a 5-2 game prior to the inning.

The difference maker came from catcher Emma Robertson, who went 3-for-3 in the nightcap after hitting the go-ahead homer in game one. Robertson doubled home a run in the bottom of the sixth in game two to seal a 6-5 win.

Despite the loss, UNA out-hit the Bears 11-7 in the nightcap. However, two tough errors on high-difficulty plays erased an early 1-0 deficit and was the catalyst for a four-run second inning. UNA's first run came on an RBI single from Wheeler after Hammons led off with a triple in the gap.

Down 4-1, Wheeler returned for the third inning and single in Dover. UCA added a homer from Robertson in the fifth to make it 5-2.

In the sixth, UNA got a leadoff single from sophomore Holly Merritt to bring up the hot-swinging Wright. The Florence native, who seems to thrive in road games, belted a two-run homer to left field and pulled her team within a run. Later, the bases were loaded as sophomore Jenna Madison was hit by a pitch, Shaw drew a walk and Hammons singled to score Madison and tie the game. Dover singled to move everyone up a base, but a fielder's choice in the next at-bat ended the threat.

Senior twins Katie Simon and Emily Simon both pitched in this game, with Katie taking the first five innings and allowing just two earned runs. Emily entered in a high-pressure situation to close in the tie game and allowed just one run on the only hit she gave up. This marked her first loss of the season.

Hammons led with a three-hit day, while Dover and Wheeler had two apiece. Dover also stole her 14th base of the season, moving within two of Hammons for the team lead.
 

Pitchers of Record
W – Emory Bowlin (7-5)
L – Emily Simon (1-1)
S – None
 

COMING UP NEXT

UNA looks to salvage the series tomorrow at 1 p.m.

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