Tide Softball Salvages Split With No. 24 South Carolina
4/17/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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» Game 1 Box Score
» Game 2 Box Score
TUSCALOOSA — The 13th ranked Crimson Tide softball team (34-13, 14-9) finally got its bats going late enough in the day to earn a doubleheader split with the 24th ranked South Carolina Gamecocks (22-17, 11-15) taking Game Two 6-5 while dropping the first game 3-1.
In Game Two Alabama repeatedly battled back before Dominique Accetturo delivered the knockout blow in the bottom of the seventh inning. Stephanie VanBrakle led off and reached on an infield single. Deasy Phillips came on to pinch run and was sacrificed to second by Michelle Menningmann. Following a Staci Ramsey pop-out to second, Accetturo then delivered a game-winning single for the final 6-5 score.
Earlier in the game, the Gamecocks jumped on top scoring a run in the top of the first and third innings to claim a 2-0 lead.
Alabama battled back to tie the game in the bottom of the third. Jackie Wilkins led off with an infield single and took second on a walk to Ashley Courtney. Leah White sacrificed the runners to second and third. Jackie McClain hit a bouncer to shortstop who threw home in time to get Wilkins putting runners on the corners with one out. Bama then put on a successful double steal with McClain stealing second and Courtney stealing home, cutting the lead in half. VanBrakle then singled back up the middle scoring McClain from second to tie the game at 2-2.
USC reclaimed the lead in the top of the fifth inning scoring three runs highlighted by a two-run double off the bat of Ashley Smith to claim a 5-2 Gamecock lead.
Alabama once again battled back in the bottom of the fifth to once again tie the game. White reached on a one-out single and advanced to third when McClain hit a long fly ball to left field that was dropped by USC leftfielder Margaret Person. VanBrakle stepped to the plate and delivered her second home run of the day, tying the game at 5-5.
Bama had an opportunity to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, loading the bases with two outs and McClain at bat. However, an earlier substitution of McClain re-entering the game because she was pinch run for, was not reported resulting in McClain being called out at home and ending the Bama rally.
VanBrakle (12-8) collected the win throwing the final 2/3 of an inning in relief, inducing an inning ending double play. She also led the team offensively going 3-4 with a career high four RBI and a run scored.
Errors were the downfall of the Tide in Game One.
The Gamecocks scored a run in the top of the first inning and came back with two more in the top of the second taking advantage of two Alabama errors.
VanBrakle tried to get the Tide back into it in the bottom of the seventh inning with a solo home run but it was too little, too late.
She took the loss allowing three runs on six hits in the first 1 1/3 inning.
The two teams will get together for the rubber match on Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for 1:07 p.m. The game will be televised live on SEC-TV.
