VALDOSTA, Ga. – The third-ranked Auburn University at Montgomery softball team survived elimination with a 3-2 win over No. 16 Alabama Huntsville on Thursday night to earn their first-ever NCAA tournament victory.

Bailie Barnes got the call in game two after throwing in the first game of the day for AUM. The senior threw 6.1 innings, allowing just four hits and two runs while striking out four Chargers.

Morgan Duschell came up with clutch RBIs during the contest against Alabama Huntsville, securing a game-tying sac fly and a game-tying RBI fielder's choice.

Olivia Aycock got the AUM offense started in the first inning with a one-out single through the left side. A stolen base and a wild pitch put her at third base with two outs. With a walk and a stolen base to Abby Krueger, the Warhawks were unable to cash in a run in the top of the first.

UAH got on the board first in the bottom of the second when a single by Gracie Green hit the third-base bag and got past Gia Martin and third base. Barnes was able to limit the damage by retiring the next batter, keeping the score at 1-0.

The Warhawks got on the board for the first time in the tournament in the top of the fourth when Duschell came up with two runners in scoring position. The senior outfielder lifted a ball into medium-deep left center and drove home Abby Krueger for the Warhawks' first run.

Alabama Huntsville answered to lead off the bottom of the fourth when Kiara Akles launched a ball over the left-field fence to give the Chargers a 2-1 lead.

The Warhawks had a chance in the top of the fifth to even the score on a throwing error by the shortstop. Hannah Dailey got thrown out at home trying to score on the misplay, keeping the game at 2-1 UAH.

AUM, two innings later, was able to even the game in the top of the sixth. With Krueger on third, Duschell again was able to drive in a run to tie the game for the Orange & Black at two.
Jaycie Walker gave the Warhawks their first lead of the tournament later in the inning when a blooper past second base was just out of reach from the UAH second basemen. Duschell came around to score AUM's third run of the game.

After Brinkley Yevak came into the game in the sixth and got the first two outs, two straight walks put Barnes back in the game. The senior hurler induced a ground ball to the third basemen to get out of the jam in the sixth.

Barnes, despite giving up a leadoff hit in the seventh, was able to get the next three batters to secure the Warhawks' first NCAA tournament victory.

The Warhawks move on to face fourth-seeded Rollins College tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. This, like the game against UAH, is an elimination game.

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