Decatur, Ala.-The Delta State University softball team lost their third straight game on Thursday, dropping a 4-0 contest to West Alabama.

Thursday's game was the first of six games for the Lady Statesmen at the Gulf South Conference Crossover.

The Lady Statesmen (24-18, 10-11) were held to only two hits in a combined effort by UWA pitchers Hanna Billingsley and Katie Ford.

West Alabama (29-16, 6-9) scored all four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Edie Oliver (10-11) took the loss. From the second until the fifth inning, Oliver retired eight straight Tiger hitters. The senior allowed three earned runs on seven hits in five innings of work.

Brittany Gonzales worked a hitless sixth inning for DSU.

Katie Ford (20-5) earned the win for UWA. The junior allowed only one hit in three innings, with five strikeouts.

Paige Silverthorn and Crista Richard recorded the only Lady Statesmen hits. Angela Hanna had two hits for the Tigers.

The Lady Statesmen will return to action at noon on Friday, as they will take on the University of West Florida.  DSU will then take on Valdosta State at 4 p.m.

All games will be carried on the Lady Statesmen Sports Network, along with live stats on www.gostatesmen.com.