Suns Cap Successful Trip to GSC Crossover

Arkansas Tech completed the endurance test that is the Gulf South Conference Softball Crossover in Decatur, Ala., on Sunday by splitting its final two games of the event.

The Golden Suns (25-13 overall, 15-3 GSC) rapped out 14 hits and received a nearly flawless pitching performance from Chelsea Evanoff to defeat Lambuth University 11-0 on Sunday morning.

West Alabama turned the tables on Arkansas Tech Sunday afternoon, using a dominating pitching performance of its own to defeat the Suns 3-1.

Arkansas Tech went 5-2 at the GSC Softball Crossover and maintained sole possession of first place in the GSC West Division.

Hayley Hudson went 2-for-4 with a home run and three runs batted in for the Suns in their win over Lambuth (2-28).

Amy Kilpatrick also homered for Tech against the Lady Eagles. She was 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Shanda Jimeson was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Alicia Zack (photographed) was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Evanoff (2-1) pitched a one-hitter and faced just one batter over the minimum. She struck out six.

The story of the Tech-UWA game was Tiger starting pitcher Kristen Skinner. She struck out 13 Golden Suns and held Tech to one run on five hits.

West Alabama (28-12, 8-10) did all of its damage on one swing by Jessica Powell in the bottom of the first inning. Her shot over the left field fence put the Tigers in front 3-0.

Zack led off the top of the fourth with a double and came home on Jimeson’s RBI triple, but that was all that Skinner would allow. She struck out the next three hitters and did not allow another Golden Sun beyond second base.

Arkansas Tech starting pitcher Alex Doyle (9-8) allowed three runs on six hits in six innings and was tagged with the loss. She recorded seven strikeouts.

The Golden Suns will host Ouachita Baptist for a four-game GSC series at the Chartwells Women’s Sports Complex in Russellville on Saturday, April 16, and Sunday, April 17.

The two sides will play a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday and a twin bill starting at noon Sunday. No admission will be charged.

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