Tide Softball Splits Doubleheader With Kentucky
3/21/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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LEXINGTON, KY — The sixth-ranked University of Alabama softball team (27-4,8-1) had two 17-game winning streaks broken against the University of Kentucky (14-15-1, 3-12) as the two teams split a doubleheader, with the Wildcats taking the first game 7-5 while the Tide rebounded for a 14-5 victory in the second game.
With the Game 1 victory, the Wildcats broke the Crimson Tide's 17-game winning streak on the season and Bama's 17-game winning streak against Kentucky picking up their first ever victory over the Crimson Tide.
The second game of the doubleheader began much like the first game of the series with Ashley Courtney leading off with a second pitch solo-home run to centerfield spotting Alabama a 1-0 lead.
The Wildcats tied it thanks to a bases loaded passed ball in the bottom of the first inning and then took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second taking advantage of an Alabama error and two wild pitches.
The Crimson Tide reclaimed the lead and blew the game open with seven runs in the third inning beginning with a Stephanie VanBrakle single to right centerfield that scored Jackie McClain who led off the inning with a walk followed by a Dominique Accetturo single putting runners on first and third for VanBrakle. After the VanBrakle single, Capper Reed walked loading the bases for Staci Ramsey who singled scoring Accetturo and VanBrakle putting Alabama on top 4-2. Emily Currie hit a bouncer to Wildcat shortstop Brooke Marnitz who threw home to get Reed who was running on contact. The ball beat Reed home but a feet-first slide by Reed into the catcher jarred the ball loose and Reed was safe on the play putting Bama up 5-2. Following two Bama outs, Angela Johnson singled scoring Ramsey and advancing Currie to third. McClain then singled through the left side scoring Currie and advancing Johnson to third. However, the throw into third hit Johnson and skipped out of play allowing to score and Alabama had an 8-2 lead.
The Tide added another run in the top of the fourth inning pushing its lead to 9-2, but Kentucky answered in the bottom of the fourth with solo home run off the bat of Brooke Marnitz cutting Bama's lead back to six runs, 9-3.
Alabama tacked on two more runs in the fifth on a two-run double off the bat of Ramsey pushing Alabama's lead to 11-3, but Kentucky staved off the mercy-rule with a solo home run making it an 11-4 affair.
After another Kentucky run in the bottom of the sixth inning the Tide used the long ball in the top of the seventh with a VanBrakle solo home run and a two-run blast from Mandy Burford opening up a 14-5 Alabama lead.
Jennifer Wright (8-0) collected her eighth win of the season allowing six runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings while striking out five batters and walking five. VanBrakle came on to pitch 1 2/3 hitless innings in relief striking out four batters.
In Game 1 Kentucky jumped on top scoring five runs in the first four innings en route to a 5-0 lead.
Alabama finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth inning, starting with an Courtney single down the right field line. Angela Johnson followed and delivered a two-out, two-run home run over the centerfield fence for her fourth home run of the season and making it a 5-2 game.
Kentucky didn't blink though as they responded with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning extending its lead back to a five runs at 7-2.
Alabama responded in the top of the sixth inning with Accetturo driving her fourth home run of the season deep over the centerfield fence cutting the Kentucky lead to 7-3. Jackie Wilkins followed with a walk and came around to score when Reed hit a blooper between shortstop and left field causing the two fielders to collide. Reed advanced to third on the throw home to score Wilkins. Leah White then drove a single back up the middle scoring Reed from third and cutting the UK lead to 7-5. Following a walk to Courtney, Johnson reached on a fielder's choice and McClain walked loading the bases with two outs for VanBrakle who struck out to end the Tide rally.
Erin Wright (10-2) took the loss, allowing seven runs on eight hits while walking five batters and striking out seven Kentucky batters through 5 1/3 innings.
There will be little rest for the weary, as the Crimson Tide will have Monday off before they host the 17th ranked Florida Gators in a three-game midweek series beginning with a doubleheader on Tuesday.
