Bama Softball Drops Nail Biter to Top Ranked UCLA
2/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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LOS ANGELES, CA-The No. 22 ranked (USA Today/NFCA) University of Alabama softball team (2-2) battled back and forth all game long with No.1 UCLA (2-1) in Day 2 action of the Stacy Winsberg Memorial tournament, but came out on the short end of a 5-4 score.
The Tide claimed an early lead scoring two runs in the top of the first. Ashley Courtney reached when centerfielder Stephanie Ramos dropped a routine fly ball and advanced to second on a single through the right side from Jackie McClain. Lacy Prejean singled to right scoring Courtney from second and sending McClain to third. Stephanie VanBrakle knocked a two-out single into leftfield scoring McClain to push the Bama lead to 2-0.
UCLA quickly answered in the bottom of the first when shortstop Tasha Watley and first baseman Tairia Mims scored on a double by third baseman Toria Auelua to tie the score at 2-2.
The Bruins took the lead in the bottom of the second when Watley hit a grounder to second baseman Dominique Accetturo whose throw to the plate was not in time to get leftfielder Andrea Duran giving the Bruins a 3-2 lead.
Alabama answered in the top of the third when Jackie Wilkins was hit by a pitch and came in to score when Courtney hit a 3-2 pitch over the trees beyond the right field fence for her first home run of the season and spotting Bama a 4-3 lead.
UCLA reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning taking advantage of two Alabama errors and a wild pitch to push two runs across and take a 5-4 lead.
Courtney finished the game 1-3 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. She is currently hitting 6-12 with six RBI and six runs scored in the tournament.
Jennifer Wright (1-1) took the loss for the Tide allowing two runs, both unearned on three hits through four innings of work.
The Crimson Tide will close out its tournament play on Sunday when it takes on Loyola Marymount at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Coast Time. Live stats for the game will be available at www.rolltide.com.
