HUNTSVILLE | The UAH softball team started off a three-game Gulf South Conference series at Charger Park with an 8-0 victory in five innings over No. 5 Auburn Montgomery on Friday afternoon. UAH improves to 16-14 (9-7 GSC), while AUM slides to 18-7 (11-5 GSC).
 
Junior Katie Bracken highlighted the Chargers in the circle and at the plate in the series-opening victory, as she blasted a three-run homer as part of a four-run rally in the fourth, went 5.0 shutout innings in the circle and hit a walk-off RBI single up the middle to make it an 8-0 final score in the fifth.
 
The Decatur, Alabama, native allowed just two hits while striking out five in the complete-game shutout. This was Bracken's team-leading ninth complete game of the season, while her home run was her first of the campaign.
 
Bracken's two base hits and four RBI led the Chargers in the win, as UAH would record eight base hits as a team.
 
UAH's offense additionally featured solo home runs by Alexa Douthitt in the second inning as well as Abby Flynt in the fourth inning. Douthitt's homer was her fourth of the year, while Flynt's was her first career round-tripper as a Charger.
 
Douthitt also plated a team-high three runs and rated second on the squad with two RBI.
 
Lawren Hayes gave the Blue & White four total extra-base hits with a triple to lead off the game.
 
UAH and AUM wrap up the three-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at noon.