Alabama Softball Advances to Crimson Classic Championship
2/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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UA vs. Missouri Box Score UA vs. Penn State Box ScoreAfter dropping its first game of the season to the Missouri Tigers (7-1) 6-1, the sixth ranked Alabama softball team responded with a 3-2 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions (1-3) to advance to Sunday's championship game against Maryland.
The two teams were locked in a pitcher's dual through the first three and a half innings.
Alabama finally scratched the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning when Ashley Courtney delivered a two-run triple, her third of the tournament, scoring Capper Reed and Mandy Burford. Jordan Praytor followed with a single through the right side scoring Courtney for a 3-0 Crimson Tide lead.
Penn State made it interesting in the sixth inning scoring two runs on a two-run single from Hollee Haines cutting the lead to 3-2. But Tide starting pitcher Stephanie VanBrakle (6-1) was able to clamp down on the Nittany Lion offense shutting them down the rest of the way to pick up her sixth win of the season. VanBrakle finished the night allowing two runs on four hits while striking out a season high 13 batters and issuing only two walks. It was her fourth double-digit strikeout game of the season.
"We left too many runners in scoring position," said Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy. "We could have put them away in the first inning. They need to get hungrier at the plate."
In the first game of the day, Missouri jumped on top of Bama in the first inning behind a two-run home run from Micaela Minner, her second of the tournament, spotting the Tigers a 2-0 lead. It was the first time all season Alabama trailed in a game.
"When we got two runs down in the first inning it was like the bubble had burst, it was the first time all year we'd been behind," Murphy said. "We didn't really respond very well. I thought Jen did a good job in relief, she shut them down. The goal of the reliever is to leave it where it's at or keep it close and she did a good job of doing that."
The Tigers kept the pressure on scoring two more runs in the top of the second and one in the third claiming a 5-0 lead.
Jackie Wilkins got Alabama on the board in the bottom of the third inning when she hit her second home run of the season, a solo blast to left field cutting the Missouri lead to 5-1.
The Tigers answered in the top of the fourth on a bases loaded fielder's choice by Heather Kunkel that scored Sarah Stringer pushing the Missouri lead back to five runs at 6-1.
VanBrakle took the loss, her first of the season. She allowed five runs, four of which were earned, on seven hits while striking out only two batters in 2 1/3 innings of work. Jennifer Wright came on in relief of VanBrakle allowing one run on six hits while striking out five batters in 4 2/3 innings of work.
Bama will play the Maryland Terrapins, who defeated Missouri 3-2 in tournament play, for the tournament championship which is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. Missouri and Penn State will play in the consolation game scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Alabama defeated Maryland 7-0 earlier in the tournament and has won five in a row over the Terrapins.
PHOTO GALLERY
Dominique Accetturo celebrates a big out on the infield.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Shortstop Dominique Accetturo fires the ball to second base.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Dominique Accetturo hustles down the line.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Ashley Courtney follows through on her swing.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Ashley Courtney is greeted by coach Vann Stuedeman on 'Ashley Courtney Day'
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Ashley Courtney poses for a picture with some young fans.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Ashley Courtney chats with coach Alyson Habetz at first base.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
The fans show their support for senior Ashley Courtney.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
The Tide infield chats during a break in action.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Leah White encourages pitcher Stephanie VanBrakle.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Jackie Wilkins is congratulated by Coach Patrick Murphy as she rounds third base.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Jackie Wilkins is mobbed at home plate by teammates after smacking a home run.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
