Link to GSC Tournament Webpage
 
Link to box score
  
PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Union University softball posted a thrilling 12-11, nine-inning win over No. 15 University of Alabama in Huntsville Thursday in the opening round of the Gulf South Conference Championships. Seven-seed Union improved to 30-23 overall, while two-seed Alabama Huntsville dropped to 37-14.
 
The win for Union also marked is first GSC Tournament game victory in program history since becoming postseason eligible in 2015. Union is now 1-2 in GSC Tournament games. Two of the three GSC Tournament games for Union have gone extra innings, while all three games have been decided by one run.
 
In the game, Union also broke the program record with its 44th and 45th home runs of the season. The old record of 44 home runs was set back in 2007.
 
First year head coach MacKenzie Sher said, "What a game! We are proud of this group for paying attention to the little details and fighting. Their perseverance and heart won this game. I am thankful that Christ has put us in a position to come out and enjoy this experience."
 
Union trailed 2-0 after UAH put up two in the second inning. However, in the top of the third, Union scored five times, capped off by the record-tying home run by Gabby Morris. It was a 3-run shot to put Union up 5-2. Union added another run in the fourth and almost set the record with an inside-the-park home run. Union speedster Harley Bartholomew tripled and was thrown out at home in a close place. However, her hit did drive in Union's sixth run of the game. Union went up 7-2 in the top of the fifth inning with freshman Kaitlyn Kelley hit the record breaker, a solo shot.
 
UAH then exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the fifth. The big blow a two out bases clearing triple to make it 10-7.
 
Union fought back again, scoring four runs in the sixth. Another RBI hit for Bartholomew got it started. Alyssa Ward hit an RBI bases loaded groundout. Kelley then followed with an RBI double. Kelley drew a throw to second, allowing the fourth run of the inning to score from third.
 
Union led 11-10 going into the bottom of the seventh and led with two outs and runners on second and third. Akles singled for UAH to tie the game.
 
The score stayed 11-11 until the top of the ninth inning. Kelley singled to center field. However, the centerfielder let the hit go by her and Kelley advanced all the way to third. Then senior Haley Barnette put down a perfect bunt to drive in Kelley from third for the winning run. UAH got runners on second and third with two outs, just like the seventh. However, Union's Morris got the final out on a fly out to centerfield.  
 
Gabby Morris (12-15) earned the win in relief, tossing 7.1 innings, allowing six hits, four runs, 11 walks, six strikeouts, and one hit-batter. Parker Davis started and went 1.2 innings, allowing four hits, seven runs, six earned, five walks and a strikeout. Davis relieved Morris for a few batters in the fifth.
 
Union advances in the winner's bracket to face sixth-seeded University of West Georgia Friday at 3 p.m.
 
-UNION-