Bama Softball Drops 19th Ranked Auburn in Series Finale
4/21/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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AUBURN, AL — The 13th ranked University of Alabama softball team (36-15, 16-11) wasted no time in avoiding the series sweep scoring five runs in the first inning en route to a 6-3 win over the Auburn Tigers (34-12, 15-9) in the final game of the series.
The Crimson Tide wasted no time establishing its offense, beginning with a leadoff infield single by Ashley Courtney. Jackie McClain drew a one-out walk and following a Staci Ramsey pop out, Stephanie VanBrakle sent a 2-2 pitch from Kristen Keyes over the left field fence and Alabama had a 3-0 lead. Dominique Accetturo then took the first pitch she saw and singled into left field. Angela Johnson followed and sent a 1-2 pitch over the centerfield fence for a 5-0 Crimson Tide lead.
The Tigers got a run back in the bottom of the first on a Martha Phillips RBI single cutting the lead to 5-1.
Auburn further clawed away at the Alabama lead when Phillips drove a run-scoring single into left field in the bottom of the third inning making it a 5-2 game.
Auburn threatened in the bottom of the fifth putting runners on first and third with two outs and Bama killer Phillips stepped up, but VanBrakle, who was on in relief of Jennifer Wright, struck Phillips out to end the Tiger threat.
Bama got an insurance run in the top of the sixth inning starting with a leadoff walk to Ramsey. Mandy Burford came on to pinch-run for Ramsey and took second on a single from VanBrakle. Following an Accetturo sacrifice, Johnson hit a hard grounder that tipped off the pitcher's glove and caromed to the shortstop who threw on to first to force Johnson but Burford scored on the play pushing the Tide lead to 6-2.
Auburn made things exciting in the bottom of the seventh with a home run and a base hit placing the tying run on deck but VanBrakle shut the Tiger offense down for the Alabama victory.
Jennifer Wright (11-1) took the win allowing two runs on five hits while striking out three batters in four innings of work. VanBrakle picked up her second save of the season, throwing the final three innings in relief.
VanBrakle and Johnson paced the Alabama offense driving in three runs each while VanBrakle went 2-3 on the day. Courtney also recorded a 2-3 day.
The Alabama victory was the first time either team won a road game in the series since the Tide swept the Tigers in Auburn during the 2000 season.
Alabama will take the weekend off from competition before heading north on I-20/59 Tuesday night to take on the Birmingham-Southern Panthers at 7:00 p.m.
