Bama Softball Swept by Fifth-Ranked LSU in Wild Shootout
3/28/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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TUSCALOOSA—Seventh ranked Alabama (28-9, 9-6) and fifth ranked LSU (31-7, 10-4) got into a slugging match in the final game of the series as the two teams combined for 17 runs and 24 hits but the Tide came up on the short end of a 10-7 score.
Through the first three innings it looked as if a pitchers duel was shaping up, but then the offense started.
LSU got things started with two runs in the top of the fourth inning, but Alabama answered in the bottom of the inning. Capper Reed drew a two-out walk and took second on a Stephanie VanBrakle single. Staci Ramsey then hit a slow bouncer to shortstop Lauren Delahoussaye who tried to underhand the ball to third base for the force out but bobbled it instead and pushed it past third base allowing Reed to score and cutting the lead in half.
The Tigers added four runs in the top of the fifth inning but Alabama matched them with four runs of their own in the bottom of the inning courtesy of two-run home runs from Angela Johnson and VanBrakle making it a 6-5 game.
LSU put another four spot on the board in the top of the sixth inning but Alabama answered again with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Ashley Courtney reached on a two-out triple and scored on a double from Johnson. Jackie McClain singled to left field scoring Johnson to make it a 10-7 affair.
However the Tide's rally was to little, to late as VanBrakle (9-5) picked up the loss allowing 10 runs on 12 hits while striking out three batters for her third consecutive loss.
Johnson and McClain led the Alabama offense recording three hits each while Johnson drove in three runs and scored two.
McClain's single in the fourth inning extended her hitting streak to a career high 12 games.
The Crimson Tide will take the week off from competition and will return to action next weekend in Oxford, Mississippi with a three-game series against the Ole Miss Rebels.
