AUM Wins Second-Consecutive #GSCSB Tournament Title
OXFORD, Ala. — For the second-straight year the Auburn Montgomery Warhawks were crowned the Gulf South Conference softball tournament champions, after defeating Alabama Huntsville, 7-4, at Choccolocco Park in Oxford Ala.
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As a result, the Warhawks become the first school to win consecutive tournament title since UAH won three-straight from 2006-08. Auburn Montgomery also earned the conference’s automatic bid into next weekend’s NCAA Division II Softball Regional Championship. The NCAA selection show is scheduled for Monday, May at 9 am CT.
The Chargers, who entered the title game undefeated, were led by all-tournament selection Kaylee Vaught who was 2-for-4 and had a solo home run int he second. Alaina Hampton also chipped with 1-for-3, three-RBI day. All-tournament selection Layton Murphy was charged with the loss, after allowing five runs, all earned, on 11 hits. Kiara Akles was earned an all-tournament nod.
Alanna Goble went the distance in the circle to earn her third win of the tournament after striking out four and allowing four runs on five hits. Offensively, AUM had nine players register a hit with four notch multi-hit performances. Olivia Aycock led the way as she was 3-for-4 with a run scored. Gia Martin, Chloe Derrick and Haley Ann Frank were each 2-for-3 at the plate with a RBI. Following the game, Goble, Derrick, Frank, Aycock, Martin and Avery Dickerson were each named to the all-tournament team.
Momentum was on UAH’s side early as Murphy got our of a bases loaded jam in the first, before plating three runs in the home half. Defense remained solid for Alabama Huntsville through the next two frames as AUM stranded one in the second and were retired in order during the third.
AUM then began to rally in the fourth with five-hit inning, including the a double from Shelby Newsome that tied the game 4-4. Faith Wheat then drove in the go-ahead run for the Warhawks in the fifth to make it 5-4. Auburn Montgomery then added a pair of insurance runs as Martin and Derrick had back-to-back home runs to lead of the seventh.