The American Red Cross Alabama Region is monitoring the weather system that is moving across Alabama today and is prepared to respond if needed. Red Cross volunteers, supplies, and shelters are on standby, and will be ready to respond to whatever this system may bring.

The Red Cross urges residents to take steps now to stay safe when severe weather threatens. As with any disaster, preparation can be the difference between life and death. The Red Cross recommends individuals and families respond to severe weather in the following ways:

• Listen to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for emergency updates. Watch for signs of a storm, like darkening skies, lightning flashes or increasing wind.
• Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are likely to occur.

After a 3-3 week in Southern States Athletic Conference play, the Auburn Montgomery softball team dropped one spot to No. 7 in the fourth NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 poll of the season. The rankings were released prior to AUM’s doubleheader sweep of Faulkner last night.

The Warhawks (30-5, 8-4 SSAC) rebounded from an 0-2 start last week to take three out of four games over ranked opponents Belhaven and William Carey. The Blazers are 10th in this week’s poll, while the Crusaders are 12th.

Katie Spain leads AUM with a .443 batting average, 12 home runs, 43 RBIs and 11 doubles. Kayla Hale (33) and Jyssica Pepper (31) have also driven in over 30 runs. Cassie Daniels leads the pitching staff with a 13-1 record and a 1.85 ERA. She has struck out 130 batters in 94 2/3 innings.

Concordia (Calif.) held on to the top spot for the fourth consecutive week, earning 18 of 20 first place votes.

Last week, the Auburn Montgomery softball team was swept by Faulkner, with its offense scoring just seven runs off of 15 hits in the two games combined.

In this week’s rematch, the Warhawks surpassed both of those totals in Game 1.

AUM defeated the Lady Eagles 15-0 in five innings in the opener, before holding on for a 9-5 win in the nightcap.

The Warhawks (30-5, 8-4 SSAC) have now won four straight, while Faulkner (19-13-1, 5-10-1 SSAC) dropped its sixth in a row.

“I’m extremely proud of everybody,” head coach Chris Steiner-Wilcoxson said. “Everybody stepped up and did their part to get things going today. We just have to keep pushing because it’s all conference games from here on out, and they’re always tough no matter who you play.”

AUM did all of its damage offensively in the first four innings of Game 1, highlighted by a seven-run second.