Tide Defeats LSU in SEC Tournament Second Round, 3-1
5/13/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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PLANT CITY, FL-Fans watching the University of Alabama softball team have grown accustomed to sitting on the edge of their seat as the 16th ranked Crimson Tide (43-19) posted its 12th come from behind victory this year, in the form of a 3-1 victory over the No. 12 ranked LSU Tigers (46-15).
Alabama's Stephanie VanBrakle and LSU's Kristin Schmidt were locked in a pitchers' duel through the first five innings allowing only four hits between the two of them, but it was VanBrakle that came out on the winning end, getting the job done in the field and at the plate.
VanBrakle (16-5) picked up the win throwing her 10th complete game of the season, allowing only three hits while striking out seven batters. She also drove in the game-winning run in the sixth inning to put the finishing touches on a career night.
"We came into the game not feeling too tight," said VanBrakle. "We had already played LSU earlier and we knew what we had. It was a matter of doing the job and making it come together at the end."
LSU broke through in the top of the sixth inning loading the bases on two walks and a hit-by-pitch. Sara Fitzgerald then came in to score on passed ball to take a 1-0 lead.
Alabama answered in the bottom of the sixth with Staci Ramsey leading off with a single. Deasy Phillips followed with a bunt single and both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt from SEC all-time sacrifice leader Jennifer Reach. Ashley Courtney was then intentionally walked loading the bases for Jackie Wilkins. Wilkins hit a high chopper that was fielded by shortstop Blair Smith who threw on to first to get the out, but Ramsey scored tying the game at 1-1. Jackie McClain was intentionally walked loading the bases for Stephanie VanBrakle who pushed a single through the right side scoring Phillips and Courtney for a 3-1 Tide lead.
"I wrote out a script before these SEC's and they are playing it to a tee," said Alabama Head Coach Patrick Murphy. "I wanted to show off the best pitching staff in the conference and that is what we are doing so far."
Alabama has now picked up back-to-back wins in the SEC Tournament for the first time since the 1998 tournament when they captured the tournament title.
With the victory, the Tide advances to the semifinals and will take on the winner of the Tennessee-Georgia/Florida game on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET. Fans in Tuscaloosa can listen to all the action on WVUA 90.7 FM.
