CARROLTON, GA — The University of West Alabama softball team opened the 2004 season with a trip to Carrollton, Ga., for the West Georgia Tournament. The Tigers lost 5-0 in the first game to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, then fell to Belmont Abbey 10-4 in game two and dropped a 2-1 decision to Columbus State.

The Tigers ran into some problems in the third inning of game one, committing three errors and allowing four unearned runs. Tamara Neal picked up the lone West Alabama hit, going 1-for-3 with a double. Christen Chaney (0-1) took the loss, allowing five runs, one earned, on just six hits to go along with five strikeouts in six innings of work.

In game two versus Belmont Abbey, Katie Breneman had a two-run home run for the Tigers and Neal added one hit and two RBI. Chaney, Shannon Goggins, Julie Burkett and Ashley Gober had one hit each for UWA. Heather Shugart (0-1) took the loss for West Alabama, allowing five runs, two earned, and five hits in 1.1 innings pitched. Casey Cockrum came in relief, pitching 4.2 innings while allowing five runs and four hits with three strikeouts.

The Tigers dropped a close 2-1 decision to Columbus State in game three. Chaney went 2-for-2, while Goggins had a pinch-hit solo-homer for UWA. Neal and Burkett added one hit each for West Alabama. Freshman Whitney Woodington (0-1) pitched a solid 6 innings for the Tigers in the loss. Woodington allowed two runs (one earned) and three hits, while striking out seven batters.

The Tigers move to 0-3 overall and return to action on Saturday at day two of the UWG Tournament. UWA opens with Georgia College and State University at noon and concludes play with a 2:00 p.m. matchup with IUPUI.