FLORENCE, Ala. – North Alabama held a 9-0 lead after three innings before completing the game with a 14-7 victory over the University of Evansville softball team in Sunday's series finale.
 
As a team, the Purple Aces completed the game with nine hits. Brooke Voss went 2-3 with a home run and two RBI while Niki Bode added two hits and a run. Jess Willsey went 1-3 with two RBI and two runs. Kate Ridgway suffered the loss allowing seven runs in 1 2/3 innings. Leading the way for the Lions was Gyvan Hammons who went 4-4 with three runs while Holly Merritt went 2-4 with a home run and four RBI.
 
The Lions opened with a single run in the first, however, Ridgway was able to pitch out of a bases loaded jam to minimize the damage. Unfortunately, in the second inning, the Lions plated six runs with Holly Merritt hitting a grand slam. UNA added two more runs in the in the third to take a 9-0 lead.
 
Despite the deficit, the Aces put up a fight. Angela Valentine, Ashtyn Holbrook, and Voss each posted RBIs to make it a 9-3 game. North Alabama countered with a 3-run bottom of the frame, but the Aces matched it with three more in the fifth. Jess Willsey had a 2-run double before scoring on an error. Voss added UE's seventh run on a solo shot in the top of the sixth.
 
North Alabama added a pair of late runs to finish with the 14-7 victory. UE returns to action on Wednesday at Butler before opening its home slate next weekend against Illinois State.