Softball Splits Doubleheader With Eighth-Ranked Georgia
5/1/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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» Game 1 Box Score
» Game 2 Box Score
TUSCALOOSA, AL—The 14th ranked University of Alabama softball team (38-16, 17-12) scored a run in the seventh to earn a 4-3 win and a doubleheader split with the eighth ranked Georgia Bulldogs (46-13, 20-9) after dropping the first game 6-5.
In the bottom of the seventh, with the score tied at 3-3, Staci Ramsey laced a two-out single into right field scoring Deasy Phillips all the way from first to push Alabama to a 4-3 upset of the Bulldogs.
Georgia drew first blood in Game Two, scoring two runs in the top of the third inning for a 2-0 lead, but Capper Reed cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning with a solo-shot to dead centerfield, her seventh of the season.
The Bulldogs added a run in the top of the sixth inning, but again, the Tide battled back, tying the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth. Dominique Accetturo led off with a single down the right field line and took second on a Staci Ramsey single up the middle. Angela Johnson hit in a fielder's choice with Accetturo being forced at third base. Reed followed with a single down the right field line loading the bases with one out. After a Jackie Wilkins strikeout, Ashley Courtney singled through the right side scoring Emily Currie, who was running for Ramsey, and Johnson, tying the game.
VanBrakle collected her 14th win of the season, allowing three runs, only one was earned, on four hits while striking out four batters in seven innings of work. Her fourth strikeout was her 198th on the season, a career high.
Reed led the Tide offense going 2-2 with an RBI and a run scored while Ramsey also collected two hits (2-4) and drove in a run.
In Game One Georgia came out swinging, scoring two runs on three hits for the early 2-0 lead.
Bama didn't blink though, coming back with three runs of their own in the bottom of the first. Courtney led off and reached on an infield single and promptly stole second. Leah White sacrificed her to third putting a runner on third with one out. McClain then hit a grounder to second baseman Megan McAllister who threw home to get Courtney who was running on the play. Courtney slid in under the tag cutting the lead in half at 2-1. VanBrakle drew a walk followed by an Accetturo single scoring Phillips who was pinch-running for McClain. Reed followed with a fielder's choice scoring VanBrakle and Alabama had a 3-2 lead.
Georgia reclaimed the lead in the top of the third scoring two runs and then made it a 6-3 game in the top of the fifth inning with two more runs.
Alabama closed the gap in the bottom of the fifth inning on a two-run home run by Courtney, her sixth of the season, making it a 6-5 game.
The Tide looked like it was going to tie the score in the bottom of the seventh with back-to-back singles from McClain and VanBrakle but Accetturo popped out to second base to end the game.
Erin Wright (13-6) took the loss, allowing six runs on seven hits through the first five innings while recording one strikeout. Jennifer Wright threw the last two innings in relief, striking out two batters.
Courtney was the highlight of the game for the Tide going 2-3 with two RBI and two runs scored while VanBrakle and Accetturo also recorded multi-hit days.
The two teams will get together for the rubber match on Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Fans can follow all the action at www.rolltide.com where national-award winner Jarrod Shadrick will call all the balls and strikes along with broadcast partner Chad Anderson. The broadcast will also air in Tuscaloosa on New Rock 90.7 FM, WVUA. Live stats will also be available at www.rolltide.com.
