DAHLONEGA, Ga. | The No. 11 University of Alabama in Huntsville softball team opened the Cottrell Foundation Loyal Blue Classic hosted by North Georgia on Friday, falling 9-7 to McKendree in a neutral site game. The Chargers slip to 8-5 with the setback, while MU improves to 3-3.
 
Game Changer
-After the Chargers had put a six-spot on the board in the top half to surge in front, the Bearcats responded to plate five of their own in the bottom of the sixth to secure the victory.
 
Inside the Box Score
-McKendree outhit UAH by a 10-7 margin in the contest.
-Jada Hayes was responsible for three of UAH's hits in the game, while each of Alaina Hampton, Amber Hammonds, Ashley Cornell, and Shannon Long had one.
-Long's was a home run, while Hampton recorded a double.
-The Chargers exhibited patience at the plate, drawing eight walks in the game including three with the bases loaded.
-Sydnee Uhlman earned the start in the circle for the Chargers, going 4.2 innings while allowing seven hits and four runs, and Gracie Deaton took the loss as she allowed three hits and three runs in relief.
 
Key Plays
-The Bearcats scored a run in the first and twice in the second to go up 3-0 early before Long's solo shot in the top of the third cut the deficit to 3-1.
-After a scoreless fourth, McKendree got the run back with a homer of its own in the bottom of the fifth to go up 4-1 heading into the busy sixth inning.
-Hampton's double started the scoring for the Chargers in the top frame, plating Mackenzie Nutt who had reached on an error to lead off the inning, and bases-loaded walks from Kiara Akles and Kelly Ann Sanders tied the game at 4-4.
-The Chargers then went ahead when Hammonds scored on a wild pitch, and after Shelby Booker walked to force in another run, the six-run frame was completed when Nutt had a productive ground out to give the Chargers a 7-4 lead.
-McKendree, however, immediately responded with a two-run single and a bases-clearing double that put the Bearcats ahead 9-7, and they would then strand runners at second and third in the top half of the seventh to secure the victory.
 
Noteworthy
-UAH has now logged 53 walks on the year, including three games in which the team has recorded eight or more.
-The three-hit game for Hayes is her second multi-hit game of the year, and the total represents a single-game high for her this season.
-Booker's RBI is her 10th of the season.
 
Next Time Out
-The Chargers will play twice on Saturday, taking on Southern Wesleyan at 9 a.m. before a 1 p.m. rematch with McKendree.