TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Stillman College softball team saw a seven-game win streak snapped. Still, the Tigers bounced back to split a midweek doubleheader against the United States Sports Academy Eagles on Thursday at the Stillman Softball Complex. USSU won the first game 12-4 in six innings, but Stillman won the second contest, 6-3.

Game 1 — USSU 12, Stillman 4 - Six innings

Stillman fell behind early as United States Sports erupted for four runs in the opening inning and added three more in the second to take control.

The Tigers broke through in the third when Alex Erwin used her speed to create a run, stealing third and scoring on a throwing error to put Stillman on the board.

Stillman continued to chip away in the fifth. Molly Neal scored to start the rally before Erwin delivered an RBI double to left, bringing home Addison Nuspl. Moments later, Lily Stone executed a sacrifice bunt to score Nuspl, and Avary Lumpkin followed with an RBI double to plate Erwin, trimming the deficit to 9-4.

United States Sports answered with three runs in the sixth to extend the lead and put the game out of reach.

Erwin led the offense with two hits, a double, and two stolen bases, while Lumpkin added an RBI double as Stillman showed flashes of production in the middle innings.

In the circle, Michaela Otts took the loss after allowing four runs in the first inning, while Karli Crocker provided relief and worked through the remaining innings.

Game 2 — Stillman 6, USSU 3

Stillman responded with a comeback effort in the second game, using timely hitting and strong relief pitching to secure the win.

The Eagles struck first with three runs across the first two innings, but Stillman answered in the second. Katelyn Lankford scored on Addison Nuspl's RBI triple, and Nuspl later came home on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to one.

The Tigers tied the game in the third when JaLeah Orr delivered an RBI single to score Lumpkin.

Stillman took the lead in the fifth as Stone scored on Orr's sacrifice fly, giving the Tigers their first advantage of the day.

The Tigers added insurance in the sixth. Erwin and Nuspl both came around to score on Avary Lumpkin's two-run single, extending the lead to 6-3.

Stillman's baserunning played a key role throughout, with Nuspl swiping two bases and Erwin adding another steal to keep pressure on the defense.

In the circle, Faith Byram kept Stillman within striking distance early, allowing three runs over four innings, before Jasmine Wade took over and shut the door with three scoreless innings to earn the win.

Up Next: 

Stillman has nine days to prepare for the team's next HBCU Athletic Conference series when the Tigers host Talladega College, starting at 1 p.m. on April 11 for a doubleheader.