Tide Sweeps Doubleheader Over Northwestern State
2/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score
TUSCALOOSA, AL -- The 12th ranked Alabama softball team (7-0) kept its undefeated record intact tonight as they swept a doubleheader against the Northwestern St. Demons (4-3) 2-1 and 7-2.
In the nightcap, the Crimson Tide used a four-run second inning to take control of the game and cruised from there. Dominique Accetturo started the inning off and was hit by a pitch. Jackie Wilkins followed with a single to left field then Katie Johnson laid down a bunt between the pitcher and second baseman scoring Accetturo from second and sending Wilkins to third. Alabama then put on a double-steal scoring Wilkins from third while Johnson took second. Leah White laid down a sacrifice bunt but the ball was mishandled once again putting runners on the corners for Alabama. Ashley Courtney followed with a sacrifice attempt and reached on a fielder's choice followed by a Jordan Praytor bunt single loading the bases with one out. After Staci Ramsey hit into a fielder's choice, Dani Woods drew a walk scoring Courtney for the 4-0 Alabama lead.
After the Demons cut the Bama lead to 4-1 in the fifth inning, the Tide responded in the bottom half of the inning with a three-run home run from Ramsey pushing Alabama's lead to 7-1.
"Ramsey's home run was really the first shot we've had hit by a right-hander all season," said head coach Patrick Murphy. "We were due."
Northwestern State added one more run in the top of the sixth but it was too little, too late.
The Crimson Tide struggled to come up with key hits in the second game as the team stranded 13 runners.
Freshman Chrissy Owens picked up the win throwing 4 2/3 innings allowing one run on four hits striking out eight batters and issuing only one walk. Stephanie VanBrakle came on in relief of Owens and recorded her first save of the season striking out five batters in 2 1/3 innings of work.
Earlier in the day in game one, Bama struck for single runs in the second and third innings. In the bottom of the second Capper Reed singled down the right field line and took second on an Accetturo sacrifice. Wilkins singled to center scoring Reed for a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third Deasy Phillips scored on a VanBrakle sacrifice fly putting Alabama on top 2-0.
Northwestern State cut the Alabama lead in half in the top of the fourth inning but could not do anymore damage.
Jennifer Wright (2-0) collected her second win of the season allowing one run on only two hits while recording a career high 12 strikeouts and issuing only one walk.
"Jen was awesome tonight except for a mistake on the error," said Murphy. "It was a great game by her. I was thinking this was her game to win."
Alabama heads to Houston this weekend for the Houston Hilton Plaza Cougar Invitational beginning on Friday.
Game Notes:
Game One
-- Jackie Wilkins recorded her 150th career hit.
-- Jennifer Wright recorded a career high 12 strikeouts.
Game Two
--Alabama set a new stadium record with 11 walks. It was the second most walks in a game in UA history.
--Jordan Praytor and Dani Woods tied the stadium record with three walks each.
--Katie Johnson recorded her first collegiate RBI.
--Staci Ramsey hit the first home run of the season for a right-handed batter.
--NSU pitcher Amanda Glenn threw 100 pitches in relief.
