CLINTON, Miss. | The No. 25 UAH softball team opened Gulf South Conference play for the 2024 campaign with 9-8 victory in eight innings at No. 7 Mississippi College on Saturday evening. UAH improves to 8-3, while MC slides to 8-1.
 
Both teams went back-and-forth throughout the contest as the lead changed hands five times before UAH plated the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth on a sac fly by Alexa Douthitt.
 
Josie Thompson delivered a stellar pitching performance out of the bullpen that allowed UAH to regain the lead late in the contest, as she allowed three runs over the last 5.2 innings with nine strikeouts. She picks up the win to improve to 2-3 this season.
 
Lawren Hayes led the team in hits with a 3-for-3 performance out of the lead-off spot with a solo home run to go along with three runs and two walks. Hayes' batting average rises to .375 through 11 games after her perfect day at the plate.
 
The Chargers benefitted from a four-run rally in the top of the fifth that featured two-run home runs by Laura Harbin and Caitlin Bryson, with Bryson connecting on her first career round-tripper.
 
UAH looks ahead to a doubleheader on Sunday beginning at noon to wrap up the three-game series at Mississippi College.