Alabama Softball Splits Doubleheader With No. 16 Florida
3/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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» Game 1 Box Score
» Game 2 Box Score
TUSCALOOSA—The seventh-ranked University of Alabama softball team (28-5, 9-2) salvaged a doubleheader split with the 16th ranked Florida Gators (28-5, 5-3) taking the second game 3-2 while dropping the first game 4-3.
Alabama jumped on top in the bottom of the second inning jump-started by a Staci Ramsey solo home run deep into the night beyond the left field fence for a 1-0 lead. The Tide further added to its lead starting with a Mandy Burford two-out walk. Burford stole second and took third when the throw to second skipped into centerfield. Jackie Wilkins drove a single through the left side scoring Burford and Alabama was ahead 2-0.
After the Gators cut the lead in half in the third inning, Alabama added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jackie McClain reached on an infield single and was pinch run for Deasy Phillips who took second on a Capper Reed sacrifice. Stephanie VanBrakle then hit a grounder that skipped through the legs of Florida second baseman Mylin Prieto allowing Phillips to score from second giving Alabama a 3-1 lead.
Erin Wright (11-2) picked up her 11th win of the season on "Erin Wright Night" scattering six hits in seven innings while striking out four batters.
Dominique Accetturo got Alabama on the board first in Game 1 with a run-scoring double to left field in the bottom of the second inning spotting the Tide to a 1-0 lead.
The Gators claimed the lead in the top of the fourth inning, scoring three runs on one hit and taking advantage of an Alabama error for a 3-1 lead.
Reed tied the game for the Crimson Tide at 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning hitting her fourth home run of the season, a two-run shot over the left field fence.
The Gators reclaimed the lead for good on a run-scoring infield single from Prieto for the final 4-3 count.
Reed and Angela Johnson paced the Alabama offense. Reed hit 1-3 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. Johnson recorded the only multi-hit game for either team going 2-4 with a run scored.
Stephanie VanBrakle (9-3) took the loss, allowing four runs on three hits while recording six strikeouts and walking five batters.
The two teams will get together for the rubber match on Wednesday, with the first pitch scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
