MEMPHIS | The No. 16 University of Alabama in Huntsville softball team started a three-game set with Christian Brothers on Friday afternoon, using a big seventh inning to win 7-2 on the road. The Chargers improve to 13-6 (3-1 Gulf South Conference) with the victory, while CBU falls to 5-13 (0-7 GSC).
 
Game Changer
-With the contest tied at 2-2, Kiara Akles drove in the go-ahead run with one out in the top of the seventh, and the Chargers blow the game wide open after a three-run homer from Shannon Long later in the inning produced the 7-2 final.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Akles was also terrific in the circle for the Chargers, going the distance and scattering five hits while striking out 10 and walking just one, and of the two runs allowed by the sophomore, just one was earned.
-For the contest, UAH racked up 11 hits compared to the five for CBU, and both Ashley Cornell and Alaina Hampton had two each with seven other Chargers recording one.
-Four of the hits were for extra bases as Cornell, Hampton, and Taylor Wascavage each doubled in addition to the home run from Long.
-Long's three RBI led the team with Hampton recording a pair, and Amber Hammonds scored a team-best twice.
 
Key Plays
-CBU struck first in the game, scoring a run in each of the first and third innings to take a 2-0 lead, but the Chargers would knot the contest in the fourth when Hampton and Wascavage both doubled in runs to make it 2-2.
-The hosts would get runners to first and second in the home half of the inning, but one of the 10 strikeouts from Akles ended that threat and kept it at 2-2.
-Akles then allowed just one base runner in the next two innings, setting the stage for the big UAH seventh which started with a one-out Cornell double, a pinch-hit single from Eve Mallard, and Hammonds being hit by a pitch to load the bases.
-The Chargers took the lead when Akles singled into left to plate Cornell, and Hampton then made it a 4-2 advantage after her sac fly plated Mallard.
-Long then put the guests comfortably ahead when she wrapped up the scoring in the contest with a three-run bomb to right center, and Akles wrapped up the contest with a 1-2-3 inning that included a pair of strikeouts.
 
Noteworthy
-Akles moves to 2-1 on the year in the circle, and the 10 strikeouts are the most by a Charger pitcher this season and are also a career high for Akles.
-Long now leads the team with four home runs, while Hampton moves into a tie for second on the squad with 13 RBI.
-After stealing three more bags on Friday in three attempts, the Chargers are now 65-for-68 on the base paths this season.
 
Next Time Out
-UAH and CBU will complete the series on Saturday with a twinbilling. First pitch of the day's first game is slated for a noon start.