OXFORD, Ala. | The University of Alabama in Huntsville softball team extended its winning streak to 15 games and, most importantly, started off postseason play with a victory, defeating No. 5 seed Lee in the opening round of the 2022 Gulf South Conference Softball Championship at Choccolocco Park. The Chargers improve to 36-14, while the Flames drop to 27-22.
 
The winning streak is the longest for UAH since a 25-game string of wins in 2011.
 
Layton Murphy turned in a strong pitching performance, and two swings of the bat in the third inning proved to be the difference as the Chargers moved into the winner's bracket where they will take on the winner of No. 1 seed Auburn Montgomery and No. 8 seed Union on Thursday at 6 p.m. 
 
Murphy improved to 16-7 on the year as she tossed the shutout, scattering five hits and walking none while striking out four, and the All-GSC selection has now won 11 of her last 12 appearances and has not lost since March 30.
 
Lawren Hayes provided the only run that UAH would need in the contest as she belted her second home run of the year to right in the third, but two batters later after Shelby Booker singled with two outs, the Chargers would receive some insurance as Kiara Akles homered for the 11th time this season to give UAH the 3-0 advantage.
 
The home run is the 52nd career long fly for Akles which ranks third at UAH and ties her for sixth all-time in GSC history.
 
The Flames then had their biggest threat of the game in the next half inning, getting runners to second and third with just one out, but a line drive snagged by Lila Young at short followed by a foul out to Gracie Green at third ended the inning with UAH's 3-0 lead still intact.
 
Murphy then did not allow another Lee baserunner to make it past first the rest of the way.