GAME 1

The Short Story:  Host North Alabama scored seven runs in the first two innings en route to a 9-1, six-inning win over the University of Maryland Eastern Shore softball team in the opening game of the NAU Tournament on Friday afternoon.

THE GAME FACTS
Score: North Alabama 9, UMES 1
Location: Florence, Ala.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Lions scored four runs in the top of the first including a three-run home run to jump out to a quick 4-0 lead.
• NAU then scored three more in the bottom of the second on four hits including a double to increase their lead to 7-0.
• Neither team was able to cross the plate in the third through fifth inning.
• In the top of the sixth, after loading the bases on a single by McKenzie Abiley and walks by Ameenah Ball and Kelsie Ekstrom, Ryan Merriwether hit a deep sacrifice fly to right field that scored Abiley, cutting the lead down to 7-1.
• The Lions responded with back-to-back home runs to start the bottom of the inning to take the run-rule game, 9-1 in six innings.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Ballenger went 2-for-2 at the plate along with a walk to lead the Hawks. 

GAME 2

The Short Story:  The bats came alive in the second of the day for the Hawks as the UMES softball team earned a split on Day 1 of the NAU Tournament after picking up a 9-8 win over Detroit Mercy on Friday evening.

THE GAME FACTS
Score: UMES 9, Detroit Mercy 8
Location: Florence, Ala.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Titans took an early and quick lead in the contest with a pair of runs in the top of the first. UMES responded in the bottom with a lead off triple by Jaycee Holt and a single by Nola Mountain. Abiley then hit a deep-enough sacrifice fly to center field that allowed Holt to score from third to cut the lead down to 2-1.
• Detroit Mercy added another pair of runs in the top of the second and again was immediately answered by the Hawks. With two outs and a runner on third, Holt singled up the middle scoring Morea Hodge. After double-steal by Mountain and Hold, Abiley hit a deep single to center field scoring both runners on bases and tying the score up at 4-4 after two innings. 
• The scoring continued for UMES in the third, once again with two outs. With Hodge on second and Paige Perkins on first, Holt singled to the shortstop which loaded the bases. A Titan fielding error plated one Hawk run and gave UMES the lead 5-4. another Abiley hit to center scored both Holt and Perkins, pushing the Hawks' lead even higher. Two batters later Ballenger hit a double down the right field line scoring two more and putting UMES up 9-4 after three complete.
• The Titans attempted to come back in both the sixth and seventh inning with two runs in each, but it was not enough as the Hawks secured the 9-8 win.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Ballenger improved to 3-3 on the season, pitching a complete game with seven strikeouts. She helped her own cause going 2-for-3 with two RBI and and walk.
• Abiley was the offensive spark for the Hawks, going 2-for-3 at the plate but added a career-high five RBI and a run scored.
• Holt and Mountain each went 3-for-4 with Holt scoring three runs and Mountain with two. Holt also helped with an RBI.

UP NEXT

• The Hawks will be back on the field tomorrow with two more contests. They open with a game at 4/3 pm ET/CT against the Samford Bulldogs before taking on NAU one more time to close out the day at 6:30/5:30 pm ET/CT.