Tide Softball Drops Heartbreaker to No. 11 LSU
3/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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BATON ROUGE, LA-The No. 16 ranked (USA Today/NFCA) University of Alabama softball team (26-13, 9-3) had its offense kept in check as the No. 11 ranked LSU Tigers (27-11, 8-6) claimed the series with a 2-1 victory.
LSU struck first, loading the bases in the bottom of the first with no outs. Freshman pitcher Stephanie VanBrakle almost worked her way out of the inning, however she issued a two-out walk before striking out the next batter to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
The Tigers threatened again in the bottom of the third inning putting runners on first and second with one out. Christy Connor singled up the middle and Tessa Lynam tried to score from second but was gunned down at the plate by a perfect throw from centerfielder Jackie Wilkins. Then with runners still on first and second and two out in the inning, Leigh Ann Danos tried to take third on a pitch in the dirt, but Tide catcher Lacy Prejean threw her out to end the inning.
The Tide finally put together some offense in the top of the fourth inning. Ashley Courtney reached on her second infield single of the day and came all the way around to score on double down the right field line from Jackie McClain tying the game at 1-1.
LSU immediately jumped back on top in the bottom of the fourth inning, putting together back-to-back doubles and taking a 2-1 lead.
Alabama attempted to tie the game in the top of the sixth inning when with runners on first and second with two outs, VanBrakle looped a single into left field but a perfect throw to the plate cut down Courtney who was trying to score on the play.
Jennifer Wright (7-4) took the loss for Alabama throwing three innings in relief allowing one run on four hits while striking out four batters.
Courtney paced the Crimson Tide offense going 2-3 with a run scored, while Jennifer Reach had her 11-game hitting streak snapped.
The Crimson Tide returns to action on Wednesday, April 2 when the team hosts in-state rival Auburn in a doubleheader at the UA Softball Complex.
