After winning both games in a double-header Saturday versus Valdosta State University, the Lions gave up a grand slam in the first inning Sunday afternoon and were unable to recover, losing 9-5. The loss in the third game put an end to a season high eight-game winning streak for UNA.

“Today (I felt like) we were a little bit complacent, after winning two yesterday,” said head coach Ashley Cozart. “But I’m proud of the weekend. Any time you can take two out of three from them it’s good.”

UNA gave up 10 hits and never led during the game.

“You could tell in the beginning we were tired, and we know we have a long week coming ahead of us,” said freshman outfielder Amy Carden. “That’s just part of it. That’s something you have to learn as a team and overcome it.”

The Lions won the first game Saturday 3-0 behind a complete game shutout by freshman pitcher Hilary Carpenter. Freshman catcher Carey Grace Peebles hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to put the Lions on the board. Junior Libby Olinger followed with a RBI single.

“We’re going into games expecting to win and that helps us play better,” Carden said.

The second game of the series went 11 innings and ended with a walk-off home run by junior Courtney Phillips. After VSU hit a solo home run in the ninth the Lions tied it up with a Olinger two-out single to force additional innings.

“We’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing, because it’s working,” Cozart said.

Cozart said it’s tough coming back and playing early after having two games the day before, but she is proud of how they battled over the weekend.

“I feel that just shows how we are as a team — it’s kind of how we’ve been all season,” Carden said. “We have a lot of fight in us.”

Peebles went six for 11 with one home run and 3 RBIs for the series. Carpenter pitched in all three games and move to 10-3 on the season.

“I love the way we’re playing and I love this team, and that’s what is important right now,” Cozart said.

UNA is in first place in the Gulf South Conference standings and has won each of their conference series to date this season.