March 16, 2008
PENSACOLA, Fla. - The Argos and Lions split two games that were classic pitching duels. The Lions broke a scoreless contest wide open in the sixth inning with seven runs, taking advantage of two Argo errors, and scoring five unearned runs. Starting pitcher Jillian LaFrance battled toe to toe with Lions starter Anne Ard. Both starters had only allowed three hits going into the sixth inning, when North Alabama had everything bounce the right way in the seven run inning.
In the sixth inning, five of the first six batters reached base despite only ball reaching the outfield. Then three consecutive singles blew open the game for UNA. The Lions improved to 10-11 on the season, and 1-3 in the conference with the win. West Florida dropped to 21-10 on the season, and 3-3 in conference play. Whitney Gay had a pair of hits for the Argos, including a double; however, she was stranded on base. Jillian LaFrance also doubled in the third inning, and was left on base. Melissa Chastang singled in the bottom of the seventh, but the rally was snuffed out, as Ard finished off a complete game shutout.
LaFrance dropped to 8-5 on the season, despite pitching brilliantly for the first five innings. She struck out four batters and walked two, and allowed two earned runs in seven innings of work.
West Florida will be back in action this week, with games on Tuesday and Wednesday vs. Drury and Pittsburg State at the UWF Softball complex. The next conference action for the Argos is next week, as they travel to Carrollton, Georgia for two games on Saturday, and then on to Livingston, Alabama, for two games on Sunday.
