JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University softball team returned to league play for a Friday double-header against the University of West Alabama Tigers. The Lady Bulldogs split with West Alabama as Union won the first game 11-3 by mercy rule and fell the second game 5-0.
GAME DETAILS
Finals: Game 1: Union 11 UWA 3 (5) | Game 2: UWA 5 Union 0
Records: Union 17-14, 5-12 | UWA 17-17, 8-9
Location: Fesmire Field – Jackson, Tenn.
Social: @UUAthletics | #WeAreUU |
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Game One
WHAT HAPPENED
- The first game seemed to be a pitcher's duel the first three innings of play. Union got the bats rolling in the bottom half of the fourth inning. Gabby Morris singled to score Hannah Ridolfi all the way from first base. Haley Barnette would then pick up an RBI single up the middle that scored Morris. LaDesha Nelson would then send a shot off the center field fence to pick up the two RBI double. Rachel Ridolfi would put the Lady Bulldogs up 5-0 on another RBI single, this time to right field.
- West Alabama would get three runs back in the top of the fifth inning. Only two of the runs were earned in the inning. Union's right fielder dropped a fly ball with the bases loaded that would score one run. Two more runs would cross the plate by bases loaded walks. Union was able to work out of the jam to come out still leading 5-3.
- The Lady Bulldogs would put up a six spot in the bottom half of the inning to end the game by way of mercy rule. Ashley Scott doubled to left center to score Anna Morris, pinch running for Hannah Ridolfi. Hailey Cummings would then single through the left side to score Scott. Paige Robertson picked up an RBI, sending a double to left center to score Barnette. Robertson would then come around to score on the single off the bat of Rachel Ridolfi. Emily Bennett would get the two RBI walkoff triple to end the game, 11-3.
POSTGAME STATS
- Four Union batters went 2-for-3 in the game. Emily Bennett, LaDesha Nelson, and Rachel Ridolfi each picked up three RBIs to lead the team.
- Hannah Ridolfi (10-6) earned the no-hitter in five innings of work. Rildofi gave up three runs, two earned, walking four batters and striking out four.
Game Two
WHAT HAPPENED
- The second game of the day was all West Alabama. The Tigers scored in the top of the first on a triple to right field to take the early 1-0 lead.
- Union was able to hold off the West Alabama offense, for the next three innings, but UWA put up four runs in the fifth inning on a double and two singles.
POSTGAME STATS
- No Union players had multi-hits in the game, but four players did record a hit. The Lady Bulldogs only struck out once in the game.
- Hannah Ridolfi (10-7) took the loss going 4.2 innings, giving up five runs on seven hits.
- West Alabama was led by Allison Craft and Ashlend Rodriguez each going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Andrea Edmonds (13-13) led the Tigers in the circle earning the shutout win in her seven innings of work.
UP NEXT
Union will host West Alabama at 1 p.m. Saturday in the rubber match.
-UNION-