VALDOSTA, Ga. | In the opening game of the 2015 Gulf South Conference Softball Championships for the team, the University of Alabama in Huntsville fell to North Alabama 3-1 on Thursday afternoon at Steel's Diamond at Blazer Park. The Chargers slip to 37-13, while UNA improves to 34-10.
 
UAH will now face the loser of Valdosta State and Shorter in an elimination game on Friday at 11:30 a.m. CDT.
 
It was a three-run sixth inning for North Alabama that proved to be the difference in the game, as Reagan Tittle led off the frame with a solo homer to spark the UNA offense. A single up the middle from Carey Grace Peebles and a Harlie Barkley sacrifice fly drove in UNA's other two runs to complete the scoring in the frame.
 
BreeAnna Blevins then stranded a pair of Chargers in both the sixth and seventh innings to earn the victory in the circle for the third-seeded Lions.
 
Taking the loss for the No. 2 seed UAH was Tyler Harrison who at one point sat down eight in a row, finishing the contest going five innings while allowing six hits and two runs.
 
The Chargers scored the game's first run from the bottom of the lineup when Victoria Frith singled up the middle in the third before eventually stealing second to be in scoring position for Savannah Smith, and Smith knocked Frith in with a base hit to center to give UAH the early advantage.
 
Frith finished the contest with two of UAH's five hits, and Smith was one of two other Chargers to get on base as she also drew a walk. Abby Roberts also safely reached twice, drawing a base on balls and also being hit by a pitch.
 
Libby Olinger and Madeline Lee both had two hits in the contest to help UNA outhit the Chargers 8-5.