Tide Softball Completes Series Sweep of No. 13 Tennessee
3/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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TUSCALOOSA, AL—The seventh-ranked University of Alabama softball team (23-3, 6-0) completed a series sweep of the No. 13 ranked Tennessee Lady Vols (22-8, 4-4) with a 2-1 victory extending the Tide's winning streak to 14 consecutive games, the third longest streak in program history.
Bama sophomore Stephanie VanBrakle was the hero for the Crimson Tide again as she had been all weekend. VanBrakle collected her eighth win of the season scattering five hits and striking out six batters in seven innings of work. She also drove in the game-winning run for the third time in the series.
The two teams were scoreless through the first two and a half innings until Alabama got on the board in the bottom of the third. Ashley Courtney led off and reached first on a dropped third strike. She took second on a Jackie Wilkins single and both runners advanced on a sacrifice from Angela Johnson. Capper Reed was hit by a pitch loading the bases for VanBrakle who delivered a single up the middle scoring Courtney and Wilkins for a 2-0 Crimson Tide lead.
The two runs were all VanBrakle (8-2) needed as she surrendered only one run in the top of the seventh for the victory.
She finished the weekend hitting .375 with two home runs and six RBI, three of which were game-winners. She also collected two wins in the circle while allowing only one earned run and striking out 17 batters.
The win moved Alabama's winning streak to 14 straight games including six straight in conference play. The school record for consecutive games won is 27 set in the 2003 season.
Alabama will be in action on Tuesday night when the team hosts the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in a single game starting at 6:30 p.m.
