Courtney Leads Opening Day Sweep of Crimson Classic
2/18/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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UA vs. Maryland Box Score UA vs. Penn State Box Score
Ashley Courtney helped lead an Alabama offensive attack that had yet to be seen this season as the sixth ranked Crimson Tide softball team (13-0) swept the first day of action at the Crimson Classic, 7-0 over Maryland (0-2) and 11-2 in five innings over Penn State (0-2).
Courtney finished the day 6-7 with six RBI, four runs scored, two triples, a home run, a walk and two stolen bases.
In the nightcap against the Penn State Nittany Lions, the Tide jumped on top first, for the 13th time this year, plating three runs in the top of the first inning against the Nittany Lions. Courtney led off the game with a single and promptly stole second. Leah White drew a walk and both runners advanced a base on a Staci Ramsey sacrifice. Stephanie VanBrakle walked loading the bases for freshman Dani Woods. Woods drove a single through the right side scoring Courtney and White for a 2-0 Bama lead. VanBrakle advanced to third and came in to score on a Capper Reed sacrifice fly to center field for a 3-0 advantage.
The Crimson Tide struck for five more runs in the top of the second inning highlighted by a run-scoring triple from Courtney and a two-run triple by Woods. Alabama recorded two triples and a double in the inning.
Penn State cut the lead to 8-2 in the bottom off the third on a two-run home run from Jen Acunto.
Alabama shut the door in the top of the fifth inning for the run-rule victory scoring three runs for the final 11-2 margin. After singles from Reed and Jackie Wilkins, Courtney laced her second triple of the game into right-center field and then came home to score on an infield single by White for the final scoring.
Courtney finished the game 3-4 with two triples, tying a stadium record, three RBI and three runs scored.
Chrissy Owens (4-0) picked up her fourth win of the season allowing two runs on only two hits while striking out a season low two batters, but walking only one.
In its first game of the day against Maryland, Bama struck first scoring three runs in the bottom of the second inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Courtney singled up the middle scoring Dominique Accetturo and Wilkins. The ball got away from Terrapin centerfielder Natalie Grossman allowing Reed to come around and score for a 3-0 lead.
Alabama added to its lead in the fifth inning beginning with a Courtney home run. Ramsey reached on a one-out double and was pinch run for by Deasy Phillips. VanBrakle doubled down the left field line scoring Phillips for a 5-0 Bama lead. VanBrakle advanced to third on a fly out from Woods followed by a walk to Reed. The Tide executed a double steal scoring VanBrakle and advancing Reed to second. Wilkins followed with a single scoring Reed for the final 7-0 margin.
Jennifer Wright (4-0) collected her fourth win of the season going the distance allowing only four hits while striking out nine batters and issuing no walks.
Courtney paced the Tide offense going 3-3 with three RBI and a run scored.
Game Notes:
Vs. Maryland
--Jennifer Wright moved into fourth on UA's all-time win list and third on the Tide's all-time shut-out list.
--Alabama's 12th straight win ties for the fifth longest winning streak in school history.
Vs. Penn State
--Stephanie VanBrakle's three walks tied a stadium record for walks in a game.
--Bama's 13-game winning streak ties for the fourth longest streak in school history.
--Bama's double-digit hit game is its first of the season.
--Alabama scored double-digit runs for the first time this season.
--Alabama's three triples tied the school and stadium record for triples in a game (vs. Jackson St. (4/3/02)
--Ashley Courtney's two triples set a stadium record and tied the school record triples in a game (Kretschman vs. Wisconsin, 3/1/98).
--Alabama's 11 runs were the most scored since a 14-5 win at Kentucky on March 21, 2004.
PHOTO GALLERY
Ashley Courtney watches the ball leave her bat in the Tide's first game.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
The Tide bench cheers on their teammates.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Staci Ramsey swings and sends a ball up the middle.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Capper Reed slides in safely into home.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Freshman first baseman Dani Woods records the putout.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Jennifer Wright threw a shutout in the Tide's first game against Maryland.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Wright looks in the for the sign and prepares to fire her pitch.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Wright goes through the windup....
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
.... and delivers the pitch.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
