CARROLLTON, Ga. - It was a tightly contested series opener between the UWG Wolves softball team and the Alabama Huntsville Chargers on Friday night, but in the end, it was an 8-5 win for UAH at University Field.
The game featured three lead changes, and a three-run, seventh-inning home run from the Chargers ended up being the difference on a chilly evening in Carrollton. West Georgia (16-23, 7-12 GSC) scored five runs on five hits while Alabama Huntsville (27-11, 13-6 GSC) had eight runs on six hits including a trifecta of home runs.
UAH got on the board in the first inning on a two-run home run by Kaylee Vaught, and it wasn't until the second that UWG responded to tie things up. After Madison Vandergriff was hit by a pitch, she stole second, later advanced to third and ended up scoring on an aggressive break for home on stolen base attempt. Izzy Pinto then scored on a bases loaded walk as Blaire Bizette picked up an RBI.
Vaught struck again for UAH in the third, hitting a solo shot to break the 2-2 tie, but the Wolves then took the lead with two of their own in the fourth. Both runs scored in the form of Zekylah Boyd and Megan Waites after a double to right field by Makayla Register.
UAH's Jada Henderson then doubled home a pair of baserunners that reached via the walk to regain the lead for the Chargers. The scored would stay 5-4 in favor of UAH until the Chargers led off the seventh with a walk, single, and a Maddie Catron blast that made it an 8-4 advantage.
The Wolves would then load the bases with one out, eventually scoring a run on a wild pitch before the last two batters struck out to strand the potential tying run at the plate.
UAH's Katie Bracken was tough in the circle, striking out 15 batters. Calli Hardison pitched all seven innings for UWG, allowing eight runs on six hits.
Offensively, the Wolves spread all five hits among five players with Register's two RBIs leading the way.
West Georgia and Alabama Huntsville are set to wrap up the series tomorrow in a 12 p.m. doubleheader from University Field.
