Softball Opens with Doubleheader Split With No. 10 Fullerton
1/31/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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» Game 1 Box Score
» Game 2 Box Score
LOS ANGELES, CA - The No. 22 ranked (USA Today/NFCA) University of Alabama softball earned a doubleheader split on the first day of the Stacy Winsberg Memorial tournament with No. 10 ranked CS-Fullerton dropping the first game 4-3 and taking the second frame 4-1.
In Game 2, the Titans jumped out in front in the bottom of the second inning when Kristy Halagarda laid down a bunt scoring Krista O'Hanian from third for a 1-0 Fullerton lead.
The Tide threatened in the third when Jaclyn Wilkins and Ashley Courtney drew back-to-back two-out walks but Halagarda made a diving catch on a Jackie McClain bloop for the third out of the inning.
Bama drew back-to-back two-out walks again in the top of the fifth inning with Jennifer Reach and Wilkins drawing the free passes. Finally, Courtney got the Tide on the board with a two-out run scoring single, scoring Reach and tying the game at 1-1.
Alabama threatened to take the lead in the top of the sixth when Stephanie VanBrakle delivered a one-out single up the middle followed by Dominique Accetturo getting hit by a pitch putting runners on first and second with one out. However, Emily Currie grounded into a double play to end the inning and the Tide threat.
Bama gave itself some breathing room, scoring three more times in the top of the seventh. Leah White led off and was hit by a pitch. She advanced to second on a wild pitch and took third on a sacrifice bunt from Reach. Wilkins drew a walk putting runners on first and third with one out. Courtney then singled back up the middle scoring White and sending Wilkins to third while she took second on the throw home. McClain followed with a single over the head of first baseman Caylin Hornish to score Wilkins for a 3-1 Tide lead. Lacy Prejean then hit a line shot that deflected off the pitcher's glove and rolled into right field scoring Courtney to push Bama's lead to 4-1.
Fullerton tried to come back in the bottom of the inning putting two runners on with one out, but Tide pitcher Jennifer Wright got the next two batters to ground out ending the Titan threat and the game.
In Game 1, Alabama opened up a 3-0 lead after two innings, but the Titans cut the lead to 3-2 in the top of the third inning.
The Tide held the lead until Fullerton pushed two runs across in the top of the sixth inning to take a 4-3 lead.
Bama will continue tournament action on Saturday when the Tide takes on the CS-Northridge Matadors at 8:00 a.m. followed by a 1:00 p.m. match-up with top-ranked UCLA. All times are Pacific Coast Time and all games can be followed via live stats on www.rolltide.com.
