The North Alabama softball team reached the halfway point of its season with an overall record of 24-4 and a conference record of 15-2.

The softball team recently ranked at No. 4 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) rankings. These released March 21, while the team fought for a 21-game winning streak.

That streak broke March 23 as the Lions fell short in a doubleheader against Mississippi College (11-10).

Senior centerfielder Bailey Nelson started the scoring off in the second inning of the first game against Mississippi College when she singled to shortstop opening the way for Lions’ senior shortstop Reagan Tittle to advance home. The Choctaws scored three runs in the fifth inning to take the lead. The Lions scored one in the sixth inning with freshman Harley Stokes hitting a single homerun, but UNA fell short with a final score of 3-2.

Mississippi College jumped to an early 8-0 lead in the second game. Freshman leftfielder Meleah Hargett hit a single homerun for North Alabama, but the Choctaws finished on top with a score of 10-1.

The Lions took on Mississippi College again Saturday and came out on top with an 8-2 victory. Sophomore Megan Garst was the winning pitcher for the Lions, giving her an overall record of 11-2 on the mound.

Three UNA players hit homeruns against Choctaw pitchers Penny Nichols and Cori Cooper Saturday. Stokes hit the first home run in the fifth inning, bringing the score up to a Lions lead of 6-1. Tittle was next when she hit a single run homerun in the sixth, which was followed by sophomore pinch hitter Katie Eakes who had a single homerun in the same inning.

Stokes finished the game with three RBIs and three hits. Sophomore first baseman Hannah Shollenberger finished with two RBIs and one hit. Nelson had two hits while Tittle, Eakes and junior second baseman Alex Brown all had one hit each.

Garst pitched all seven innings and finished with two strikeouts.

The Lions will battle against West Georgia at home on April 8 and Christian Brothers on April 15.