By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
March 25, 2003
LIVINGSTON, Fla. A perfect day to be out an the softball diamond framed the University of West Alabama softball team's first win in the last 10 tries beautifully on Monday.
The Lade Tigers (7-13, 2-9 Gulf South Conference) snapped a nine-game losing streak with a 1-0 game-one win in a double-header against the University of West Florida Argonauts (29-7, 11-6 GSC) at the UWA Softball Complex.
UWF won the second game 7-0.
Lady Tigers lead-off hitter Miranda Whaley set the tone for the opening game of the double-header forcing Argonauts game one starter Jackie Moore to fire 14 pitches to begin the bottom of the first inning.
Whaley worked Moore to a full count, and the UWA center fielder proceeded to foul off eight straight pitches, until she earned a walk.
The nip-and-tuck first game proceeded in similar fashion to the Lady Tigers' first trip to the plate, as neither team was able bring base runners home.
UWA stranded seven runners, and UWF left four runners on the base path.
Lady Tigers designated player Julie Burkett broke the scoreless deadlock in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The Bakersfield, Calif., native smashed a laser shot over the center-field wall for a solo home run to sew up the win for the home team.
The round-trip blast was Burkett's second of the year; her first homer came on Feb. 11 against Jackson State University on her birthday.
UWA first game starter Christen Chaney (6-9) made the one-run lead stand up, as she finished the game inducing a ground out and two fly outs in the bottom of the seventh.
Chaney allowed just three hits in the complete-game victory, with three strike outs and two walks.
The Lady Tigers hurler never allowed more than two Argonauts' runners on the base path at a time the entire game.
Game two did not go as well for the home team.
UWF posted three runs in the opening inning on two hits to jump out to an early 3-0 advantage.
UWA game two starting pitcher Katie Breneman (1-4) took the loss allowing five runs on nine hits, with two walks and one strike out, in 3 1/3 innings of work.
The Lady Tigers didn't help their own cause at the plate in the game-two defeat.
UWA stranded 10 runners, including three in the bottom of the seventh, despite recording eight hits.
We score a couple of those runs, and it changes the complexion of the game."
UWF posted two runs in the top of the fourth and fifth innings en route to the win.
The Lady Tigers continue their three-game home stand against the Argonauts with a single game at noon today.