Alabama Outslugs Long Beach State for Spot in Championship
5/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
 |
|
LOS ANGELES, CA—After spotting 18th ranked Long Beach State (51-13) an early 4-0 lead, the 13th ranked Crimson Tide softball team (45-19) ran off seven unanswered runs and then held off a 49er charge for a 7-6 victory and spot in the championship game in the NCAA Region II tournament.
For the first time in the tournament, the opposition scored first when leadoff hitter Colleen Burdick put Long Beach State on top with a blast over the scoreboard in left field for a 1-0 49er lead. LBSU continued the offensive pressure taking advantage of Alabama miscues scoring three more runs on four hits and two Alabama errors.
Alabama cut into the lead in the bottom of the first loading the bases for Staci Ramsey who hit a bloop-single into left field scoring Dominique Accetturo for a 4-1 score.
The Crimson Tide evened things up in the bottom of the second beginning with a lead off single from Angela Johnson. Jackie Wilkins advanced her to second with a single and the runners advanced to second and third on a sacrifice from Mandy Burford. Ashley Courtney then hit a grounder to second baseman Tiffanie Wedell who threw home to get Johnson but the throw was late making it a 4-2 game. Courtney took second on the throw. Following an Acceutturo pop out, Jackie McClain hit a liner off the first base bag that trickled down the line scoring Wilkins and Courtney for a tie game at 4-4.
Alabama claimed the lead in the bottom of the third when Ashley Courtney hit her second home run of the tournament, a three-run shot over the right-center field fence making it a 7-4 game.
Long Beach State made it a one-run affair in the top of the fifth inning when Marcel Torres hit a two-run blast to right-center field cutting Alabama's lead to 7-6.
"It was a strange game, it just went back and forth," said Alabama Head Coach Patrick Murphy. "Both Erin (Wright) and Steph (VanBrakle) did great. Erin gave us five innings and a shot to win because she put three zeroes on the board."
That was as close as Long Beach would get as Stephanie VanBrakle shut them down in relief, collecting her fourth save of the season. Erin Wright (15-7) nailed down the win, throwing five innings in relief allowing two runs on four hits while striking out seven batters.
Alabama will now play in the championship game on Sunday against top-seed and fourth ranked UCLA. The game will be televised live on ESPN with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m. (PT). Fans can also follow all the action at http://www.rolltide.com/ where Chad Anderson will call all the balls and strikes. The broadcast will also air in Tuscaloosa on New Rock 90.7 FM, WVUA. Live stats will also be available at http://www.rolltide.com/.
NOTES:
--Alabama has hit 14 HRs in its last eight NCAA Regional games.
--UA recorded its fourth double-digit hit game in NCAA Regional action.
--UA pitching staff records most Ks in an NCAA Regional game with 11.
--Alabama will be making its third appearance on Sunday. The Tide is 2-0 in Sunday NCAA Regional games.
