MONTGOMERY, Ala. — No. 15 West Florida (24-7, 11-5) fell 3–2 to No. 4 Auburn University at Montgomery (27-4, 12-4) in a closely contested matchup at the AUM Softball Complex on Friday. West Florida rallied with two runs in the seventh inning, but AUM was able to hold on for the win. In the second game of the doubleheader, West Florida (25-7, 12-5) secured a narrow 8–7 victory over Auburn University at Montgomery (27-5, 12-5) at the same venue, propelled by a strong performance in the fifth and sixth innings, scoring six runs combined.

In the first game, Hannah Harper recorded two hits and posted a 1.333 OPS, contributing significantly to the team's offensive efforts. Jessie Baughan also tallied two hits with an OPS of 1.333, providing consistency at the plate. Angelia Discenza made an impact by driving in a run and getting on base with a hit and a hit-by-pitch, achieving an OPS of .833. On the mound, Haley Guffey pitched a complete game, allowing seven hits and two earned runs over 6 2/3 innings, while striking out two batters.

The game remained scoreless through the first three innings, with both teams showing strong defensive plays. In the fourth inning, AUM capitalized on a throwing error and a series of hits to bring two runs across, taking the lead. The score at the end of the fourth was 2–0 in favor of Auburn.

West Florida responded in the seventh inning, starting with Baughan's single through the left side. Alex Whitfield, who entered as a pinch runner, advanced to third on a fielding error by the second baseman. Discenza was hit by a pitch, allowing Whitfield to score. Meg Fountain later scored on a wild pitch, evening the score.

AUM capitalized on a throwing error in the seventh to bring a run home and take the 3-2 win.

In the second game, AUM mounted a significant challenge in the seventh inning, scoring three runs off a combination of hits and a critical error, closing the gap to just one run. However, West Florida had already established a decisive lead earlier in the game, which proved insurmountable.

West Florida's pivotal moment came in the sixth inning when Hannah Harper hit a three-run homer, extending its lead to 7–3. This followed a sequence of disciplined at-bats, including walks by Angelia Discenza and Nicole Mergen. Earlier, in the fifth inning, Emma Brice's two-RBI single, aided by a fielding error, had contributed to an important three-run rally.

In the final inning, West Florida added a crucial insurance run with a single from Discenza, which proved vital as AUM's late rally fell short.

Harper recorded three hits, including a home run and a double, driving in three runs. Meg Fountain collected two doubles, scored once, and added an RBI. Discenza posted two hits, scored one run, and contributed an RBI. Brice tallied two runs and drove in two with a single hit.

UWF will look to get the series win against AUM in game three tomorrow at 1 p.m.

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