Alabama Softball Drops Doubleheader to No. 5 LSU
3/27/2004 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 was unable to get any offense going as they dropped both games of a doubleheader to the fifth ranked LSU Tigers (30-7, 9-4) 6-2 and 9-4.
LSU wasted no time taking a lead in Game 1, jumping on top 2-0 in the first inning on a Lauren Delahoussaye two-run home run.
The Tigers added four more runs, two each in the third and fourth innings.
Alabama rallied in the bottom of the sixth inning when Stephanie VanBrakle hit her fifth home run of the season, a titanic two-run blast that landed approximately 300 feet from the plate cutting the Tiger lead to 6-2, but Bama could get no closer.
Erin Wright (11-3) took the loss, allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out three batters.
In the second game, the Tigers jumped out to a 3-0 first inning lead.
Alabama cut into the lead in the second inning beginning with a VanBrakle single. Emily Currie pinch ran for her and advanced to second on a Capper Reed single. Staci Ramsey sacrificed the runners to second and third and Currie scored when Accetturo hit a grounder to second making it a 3-1 game.
LSU pushed its lead back to 5-1 with two runs in the third inning, but Alabama battled back in the fourth inning beginning with a one-out walk to VanBrakle. Reed followed and doubled putting runners on second and third and Ramsey singled VanBrakle home for a 5-2 ballgame.
LSU tacked on three more runs in the fifth and another run in the sixth extending its lead to 9-2.
The Crimson Tide wasn't finished though as they scored two runs in the sixth inning. Reed once again got the rally going getting her third hit of the day, a single up the middle. Ramsey hit a bloop single down the left field line advancing Reed to second. Accetturo followed with a single scoring Reed and advancing Ramsey to third. Michelle Menningmann got her first hit of the day with a single up the middle scoring Ramsey and Bama trailed 9-4.
The Alabama rally continued in the bottom of the seventh started by a two-out double from Angela Johnson. Jackie McClain singled, scoring Johnson and advanced to second on the throw home. Deasy Phillips came on to pinch run for McClain and scored when VanBrakle singled to right field and Alabama trailed by only three runs 9-6. Reed came to the plate and for the first time in the game was unable to come through as she bounced back to the pitcher for the final out of the game.
Jennifer Wright (8-1) took the loss for the Tide, picking up her first loss of the season. Wright threw three innings, allowing five runs on five hits while recording three strikeouts.
Reed led the Alabama offense posting a 5-7 day with a run scored. McClain extended her hitting streak to a career high 11 games in her final at-bat of the second game.
The Crimson Tide will try to avoid the series sweep on Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for 1:07. The game will be televised live on SEC-TV. Fans can follow all the action at www.rolltide.com where national-award winner Jarrod Shadrick will call all the balls and strikes. The broadcast will also air in Tuscaloosa on New Rock 90.7 FM, WVUA. Live stats will also be available at www.rolltide.com.
