HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – For the second time this season, the University of Alabama in Huntsville softball team swept North Alabama, winning 1-0 and 9-1 on Tuesday night in the first Gulf South Conference night games on campus in program history. The Chargers move to 31-12 (13-7 GSC) on the season, and UNA drops to 17-18 (6-14 GSC).
 
Stephanie Needham was once again impressive on the day as she finished 3-for-5 with three doubles while driving in three runs, and Kelli Pullin also collected three RBI – all on one swing of the bat in the fourth inning of the nightcap that put the contest out of reach.
 
Mary Kelley and Mallory McNeal joined Needham in picking up three hits, and Kelley scored three times as did Kelli Long who walked three times on the night.
 
Two of Kelley's hits were doubles to give her 22 on the season.
 
Whitney Gilbert (13-5) was masterful in tossing the complete game shutout in the first game, striking out two while surrendering just four hits.
 
The Chargers scored the only run they would need in the first as Long scored on an error by the UNA defense on a ball put in play by Kathryn Whitlock.
 
In the second game, the Chargers had to erase an early deficit as Whitney Toler (13-6) settled things down after giving up a solo homer in game's first frame. After surrendering the home run and a single in the inning, Toler tightened up and gave up just one more hit while also striking out a pair in the next four frames.
 
She received all the scoring help she needed in the home half of the first as the Chargers scored three times including a solo homer by Whitlock. Long and Kelley also crossed the plate in the frame with Kelley scoring on a sacrifice fly by Needham.
 
The score remained 3-1 until the big fourth inning.
 
The frame started off with a double by Sam Deep, and after she was moved over by a sacrifice bunt from Long, Kelley knocked in Deep with her second double of the contest. Needham proceeded to then double in Kelley, and Whitlock walked to set the table for Pullin's long fly that made the score 8-1 in favor of UAH.
 
The Chargers ended the game when Needham doubled home Meagan Billingsley in the fifth.
 
Haley Barnette (6-10) earned the tough-luck loss for UNA in game one as the contest's only run was the result of a UNA miscue, and Meaghan Gray (2-1) was saddled with the defeat in game two.
 
The Chargers will return to action on Saturday as they welcome Delta State for a 2 p.m. doubleheader.