Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University Lady Bulldogs scored crucial runs in the sixth inning of two straight games to sweep a Gulf South Conference doubleheader from the Delta State University Lady Statesmen softball team, Wednesday at Fesmire Field.
 
Union (12-8, 7-7) withstood a late charge by DSU (11-17, 5-9) to take game one 8-7 and used a clutch RBI double in the bottom of the sixth to take the second game 1-0.
 
Each team was without a hit until the bottom of the third inning of game one, as Union struck DSU starter Brittany Gonzales with four runs in the frame to take a 4-0 lead, using a pair of home runs, including a three run shot by Alex Williams.
 
DSU fought back in the top of the fourth, as back-to-back two out singles and a hit by pitch, loaded the bases for Brook Cline, who slapped an RBI double to left field, clearing the bases.
 
Trailing 4-3, in the bottom of the fourth, relief pitcher Lauren Kendall allowed three runs with two outs, as the Lady Bulldogs used an RBI single and a double by Tobi Joy that drove in a pair.
 
Each team went quietly in the fifth, setting up a sixth inning that had no shortage of offense. Trailing 7-3, the Lady Statesmen scored two runs in the inning, as Mariah Alvarez and Brook Cline each plated runs on ground balls on the infield.
 
Union got what proved to be the game-winning run in the bottom of the inning, as Summer Cross led off the inning with a triple to right center and was driven in on an infield single to third base.
 
Down 8-5, the Lady Statesmen rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh, using RBI singles by Emily Todd and Amber Adcock. With two outs and the tying run at third, Union pitcher Brooke Thomas forced a groundout by Alvarez to end the game.
 
Todd finished 3-for-4 to lead DSU, while Cross had three hits to lead the Lady Bulldogs.
 
Gonzales (6-7) took the loss, allowing four runs on four hits in three innings. Kendall allowed four runs on six hits in three innings of relief. Thomas (5-2) allowed seven runs, five earned, on eight hits with eight strikeouts.
 
Game two proved to be a pitchers duel, as DSU starter Miller Maddox and Union starter Kelly Robey allowed only three and four hits respectively.
 
Maddox retired nine of the first 10 Union hitters, before Shelby Lamb picked up the first Lady Bulldog hit in the bottom of the fourth.
 
The biggest threat for the Lady Statesmen came in the top of the sixth, as Taylor Hughes led off the inning with a single to left, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kaitlin Moore. Hughes then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Robey got the Lady Bulldogs out of the inning, as she struck out Todd and forced Amber Adcock to fly out to center to end the inning.
 
Union took advantage of the missed opportunity, scoring the lone run of the game in the bottom of the inning, when Shelby Lamb singled to lead off the inning and her courtesy runner DeShuni Sanders scored from first on a double by Amanda Chandler.
 
Delta State threatened in the top of the seventh, drawing a pair of two out walks, but Robey forced a groundout by pinch-hitter Katie Hebert to end the game.
 
Robey (6-5) allowed three hits with five strikeouts and four walks in the win. Maddox (2-3) allowed one run on four hits with four strikeouts and one walk in the loss.
 
The Lady Statesmen return to action on Saturday, March 23 to face defending NCAA Division II National Champion Valdosta State. First pitch at University Field is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.