Alabama Softball Takes 8-3 Win Over Birmingham Southern
4/17/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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Tuscaloosa, Ala. — The University of Alabama softball team jumped out to an early 5-0 lead over the Birmingham Southern and went on to cruise to an 8-3 victory in the first ever meeting between the two in-state schools Thursday night at the UA Softball Complex. The 13th ranked Tide improves to 33-12 for the season while the Panthers fall to 17-27.
Alabama's offense got off to a quick start on back-to-back infield doubles for Ashley Courtney and Leah White. Courtney scored the first run for the Tide after getting into a rundown between home plate and third base, avoiding the catcher's tag and scampering home. Capper Reed drove home the second run of the game, plating Jackie McClain with a double to center field. Slugger Stephanie VanBrakle then executed a perfect suicide squeeze bunt to score Accetturo who slid under the tag of catcher Shannon Cantrell. Reed scored the fourth run of the inning off of a sacrifice fly from Staci Ramsey. VanBrakle scored the final run of the inning when shortstop Jennifer Wellborn booted an Angela Johnson ground ball.
The Panthers broke through in the top of the third off of Alabama starter Jennifer Wright scoring two runs and loading the bases, but Wright was able to work out of the jam by striking out Cantrell and Erin Haggard to end the inning.
Birmingham Southern added another run in the top of the fifth off of a base hit and two errors before Tide reliever Erin Wright shut down the rally with three straight strikeouts.
The Tide's offense answered BSC in the bottom of the fifth inning, when after a leadoff double by McClain, Accetturo singled to right center to drive in pinch runner Emily Currie. Four batters later, Jackie Wilkins singled through the left side of the infield to drive in VanBrakle but the Tide threat was ended when Ramsey was thrown out at the plate by Wellborn.
Alabama's offense rounded out it's scoring in the bottom of the sixth. Accetturo ripped a double up the middle that ricocheted off of the second base bag into left field to score Courtney. The Tide matched a season high six doubles in the contest.
Jennifer Wright (10-1) pitched the first four innings of the game to pick up her tenth win of the season against one loss. Erin Wright struck out six in three innings of relief in route to picking up Alabama's first save of the season. Haggard took the loss for Birmingham Southern to fall to 2-2 on the season.
Alabama returns to action Saturday as the Tide hosts a doubleheader against SEC East rival South Carolina. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. at the UA Softball Complex.
