Tide Softball Takes Two Wins to Open Frost Cutlery Classic
2/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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CHATTANOOGA, TN—The University of Alabama softball bats picked the right time to get hot as the Tide picked up 6-3 and 5-0 wins over Buffalo (1-2) and Tennessee Tech (3-4) on a chilly first day of the Frost Cutlery Classic.
The ninth-ranked Crimson Tide (11-3) knocked out 21 total hits in both games while the pitching staff surrendered only seven hits and struck out 21 batters in 14 innings combined.
In the first game against the Buffalo Bulls, Dominique Accetturo got Bama on the board in the top of the fourth inning when she took the first pitch from Buffalo pitcher Stacey Evans and deposited it on the street beyond the left field fence staking the Tide to a 1-0 lead.
Alabama extended its lead in the top of the fifth inning highlighted by a two-run, pinch-hit home run from Staci Ramsey. The Tide batted around in the inning, led off by Ashley Courtney's double to left field. Jackie McClain singled over the head of the shortstop scoring Courtney. Deasy Phillips came on to pinch run for McClain and came in to score on Ramsey's home run, which also landed on the street beyond left field. It was her first of the season. Accetturo then reached on her second hit of the game, was sacrificed to second by Angela Johnson and took third on a wild pitch. Michelle Menningmann pinch hit for Stephanie VanBrakle, drew a walk and stole second. Emily Currie pinch hit for Kellie Deska and bounced out to second scoring Accetturo from third for a 5-0 lead. Jackie Wilkins walked and was part of a successful double steal, stealing second while Menningmann stole home for a 6-0 Bama lead.
The Bulls cut the Alabama lead in half in the bottom of the sixth inning on a one-out, three-run home run from Breanne Nasti for the final 6-3 count.
Jennifer Wright (4-0) was solid all day long, throwing 4 2/3 innings of perfect ball and 5 1/3 innings of no-hit ball. Wright allowed only three hits while striking out a career high 10 batters and walking only one.
In Bama's second game against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, Erin Wright (no relation) was just as effective throwing her second shutout of the season and the 17th in her career. Wright (5-1) allowed only four hits while striking out a season high 11 batters en route to the win.
Leah White, Accetturo and Wilkins paced the Tide with two hits each with Accetturo driving in two runs.
Accetturo finished the day going 4-6 with three RBI and three runs scored while Jackie McClain was 4-5 with two RBI, a run scored, two walks and was hit by a pitch.
Bama will be in action on Saturday as the Tide takes on the North Texas Mean Green in a 2:30 tilt and will then turn around and battle the Marshall Thundering Herd with first pitch scheduled for 4:45 p.m. All times are Eastern.
Fans can follow all the action at www.rolltide.com where national-award winner Jarrod Shadrick will call all the balls and strikes along with broadcast partner Chad Anderson. The broadcast will also air in Tuscaloosa on New Rock 90.7 FM, WVUA.
