Tide Softball Advances to Bama Bash! Championship
2/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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TUSCALOOSA, AL—The No. 6 ranked University of Alabama softball team (7-1) reached its fourth straight Bama Bash! Championship as they defeated the Albany Great Danes (0-4) 12-0 in five innings in the semifinals.
The Tide used two five-run innings in the third and fourth innings to fuel their victory and Angela Johnson had a career day, going 3-3 with five RBI and a run scored.
The Alabama pitching staff turned in another masterful performance as junior Jennifer Wright (3-0) recorded her second shutout of the season, a career high, and the third of her career.
The Tide got things rolling in the second inning when Jackie Wilkins and Ashley Courtney were successful on a double steal putting runners on second and third for Bama with one out. Johnson then reached on an infield single scoring Wilkins for her first RBI and a 1-0 Bama lead. Bama put on another double steal this time with Courtney stealing home for a 2-0 lead.
The Tide then posted 10 runs over the next two innings.
In earlier action, Alabama and Albany matched up in round robin play with Bama coming out on the positive side of a 5-1 game.
Capper Reed and Jackie McClain each hit their second home runs of the season in the effort with Reed’s blast hitting off the top of the scoreboard in left field. Dominique Accetturo finished the game going 2-2 with a run scored.
Reed’s home run in the bottom of the first inning put the Tide on top for good but Alabama added insurance runs in the second, third and fourth inning with McClain’s two-run shot in the third inning being the highlight.
Erin Wright (3-0) picked up the win going the distance while recording six strikeouts while allowing one run on only three hits.
The Crimson Tide will face Lipscomb in the championship game which is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.
Albany will play Eastern Kentucky in the consolation game with the first pitch scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
