HUNTSVILLE | The 14th-ranked University of Alabama in Huntsville softball team split with visiting Union on Friday in a Gulf South Conference doubleheader at Charger Park, winning 4-0 in the first game before falling 5-2 in the nightcap. The Chargers are now 32-12 (16-7 GSC), while Union is 25-18 (12-11 GSC).
 
Next Time Out
-The two teams will meet in the rubber match on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Charger Park.
 
UAH 4, Union 0
Game Changer
-Kiara Akles struck out seven in tossing the complete game shutout while also driving in a run at the plate to help the Chargers earn the victory.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Union outhit the Chargers by a 7-6 margin in the contest, but UAH drew seven walks compared to three for the visitors.
-Jada Hayes, Akles, and Hammonds each drove in runs for the Blue and White in the victory.
-Hayes had the lone extra base for the Chargers as she hit a run-scoring double.
-Akles scattered the seven hits in her seven innings of work in the circle, walking three but striking out seven while not allowing a run to score.
 
Key Plays
-After Akles left the bases loaded in the top of the second, UAH got on the board in the home half when a pop up off the bat of Reagan Malone was mishandled, allowing Taylor Wascavage to score and put the Chargers up 1-0.
-In the bottom of the third, Hayes would double in Shelby Booker who had walked before stealing second earlier in the inning, and Hayes then scored on a base hit from Akles to give the hosts a 3-0 advantage.
-The Bulldogs would threaten in the top of the sixth, moving runners to second and third with just one out before Akles got a strike out and a foul out to end the inning, and Hammonds would draw a bases-loaded walk in the bottom frame to create the eventual 4-0 final.
 
Noteworthy
-Akles is now 8-1 on the year in the circle, and this is her fourth complete game and third shutout.
-The double for Hayes is her team-leading 12th of the season.
 
Union 5, UAH 2
Game Changer
-A three-run fifth for the guests turned a 3-2 UAH lead into an advantage for Union that it would not relinquish the rest of the way.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Union racked up 13 hits in the contest while limiting UAH to just a pair.
-Ashley Cornell and Akles had the hits for the Chargers with Cornell's being a two-bagger that scored a run.
-The hosts drew five walks including a pair from Hammonds.
-Sydnee Uhlman was charged with the loss in the setback as she threw three innings in relief of starter Ava Jacobs who logged four innings.
 
Key Plays
-UAH grabbed the first lead of the game when Akles singled through the left side to plate Hammonds in the bottom of the second, but Union would come right back to tie it in the top of the third, making it 1-1.
-Cornell put the Chargers back on top in the bottom of the fourth when she doubled in Hayes, but Union then had the three-run fifth and added on another in the seventh to create the 5-2 score.
 
Noteworthy
-Cornell is fourth on the team with 32 RBI on the season, and she is the third Charger to reach double digits in doubles with 10.
-Akles has driven in 35 on the year which is third on the team.