Tide Claims Fifth Bama Bash! Championship
2/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Murphy Wins 300th at Alabama
Sunday, February 06, 2005 |
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Game 9 Box Score
Game 10 Box Score
TUSCALOOSA, AL -- It was a two-for-one deal for the 12th ranked Crimson Tide (5-0) as the team claimed a 2-1, eight-inning victory over the UAB Blazers (3-2) scoring their fifth consecutive Bama Bash! Championship as well as head coach Patrick Murphy's 300th career win at Alabama.
"This was a hard one," said Murphy of his 300th victory. "But obviously it's due to all the players because I haven't done anything on the field. We've had great players ever since I've been here and I really appreciate everything they've done and everything the assistant coaches have done."
Alabama got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning starting with a leadoff walk from Stephanie VanBrakle. Mandy Burford came on to pinch-run for VanBrakle and was sacrificed to second by Capper Reed. Dominique Accetturo then delivered her first hit of the season, a liner to centerfield scoring Burford for a 1-0 Crimson Tide lead.
The Blazers tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the seventh on an infield single from Nicole Whitlock scoring Dusti Roberts.
Bama had an opportunity to end the game in the bottom of the inning when Leah White reached on a two-out bunt single and then stole second but Staci Ramsey lifted a high fly ball to left field ending the Alabama threat.
Bama finally broke through again in the bottom of the eighth inning beginning with a lead-off double from freshman Dani Woods. VanBrakle followed with a double to centerfield as well scoring Woods for the game-winner.
Staci Ramsey, Woods and VanBrakle led the Alabama offense with all three collecting two hits.
Owens finished the day allowing one run on one hit in 6 1/3 innings while striking out 11 batters. She did not allow a hit until the top of the seventh inning.
"This should be a confidence boost offensively for Steph (VanBrakle)," said Murphy. "As for the pitching, it was like a tale of two pitchers. One threw speed and the other one threw junk. One was a righty and one was a lefty but both were really effective."
For their efforts Chelsea McCall and Holly Krzan represented the Blazers on the all-tournament team while Alabama was represented by Chrissy Owens, Staci Ramsey, Leah White, Dani Woods and tournament MVP Stephanie VanBrakle.
Georgia Southern 6-Evansville 2 (Consolation Game)
Trailing 2-1 in the top of the sixth inning, the Georgia Southern Eagles (1-4) took advantage of two Evansville miscues to plate five runs and take a 6-2 lead in the consolation game of the Bama Bash! The Eagles held on to win by a 6-2 margin picking up their first victory of the season. Evansville fell to 1-4.
Making the all-tournament team for the Eagles was Shanita Black and for the Purple Aces were Alicia Laraway and Katie Markle.
