HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Feb. 21, 2025) – East Tennessee State University softball lost the first game of the Rocket City Softball Showcase to North Alabama 6-3 on Friday.

The Bucs were led by senior infielder Sara Muir, who hit her first home run of the season. Junior infielder Riley Nayadley added three hits for the Blue & Gold. The duo combined for five of ETSU's six hits on the day.

The Lions began the scoring in the fourth with an RBI groundout after sophomore Gabrielle Fowler had started the game allowing just two hits in the first three innings. Junior Marissa Barnes entered, and one more run crossed before Barnes got out of the inning. 

ETSU answered with a run in the fifth, as graduate outfielder Nayana DeAmelia hit a one-out double, and Nayadley drove her in with a two-out RBI double that made the score 2-1. North Alabama manufactured a run in the bottom of the inning before Muir hit her first home run of the year to pull back within one at 3-2.

The Lions' offense wasn't done, as a three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth gave UNA breathing room, and the Bucs fell 6-3. Alivia Wilken earned her fifth win of the season for the undefeated Lions after throwing all seven innings.

Next, ETSU will play a doubleheader against James Madison and Louisiana Tech on Saturday. 

For more information on Buccaneer softball, follow @ETSUSoftball on X (Twitter), @etsubucssoftball on Instagram and visit ETSUBucs.com.