Softball Claims Doubleheader Sweep Over Kentucky
3/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score
TUSCALOOSA — The ninth ranked Crimson Tide softball team kept up its offensive attack as the team swept the Kentucky Wildcats (12-21, 1-7 in the SEC) 10-2 in five innings and 6-2.
Bama (30-6, 3-2) was forced to play catch-up in the night cap falling behind 2-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning. Dani Woods (FR, Cockeysville, Md.) led off the fifth with a single and was pinch run for by Deasy Phillips (SR, Katy, Texas). Emily Currie (SR, Huntsville, Ala.) laid down a sacrifice attempt but the throw to second to get Phillips was too late putting runners on first and second for the Tide. Leah White (SR, Grayson, Ga.) then sacrificed both runners up a base. Jordan Praytor (FR, Vancouver, Wash.) reached on a fielder's choice, but the throw home to get Phillips wasn't in time and the Tide evened the game at 2-2. Praytor then stole second and came in to score with Currie on a Jackie Wilkins (SR, Miami, Fla.) single pushing Bama's lead to 4-2. Ashley Courtney (SR, Vero Beach, Fla.) then doubled scoring Wilkins and came around to score on a single from Stephanie VanBrakle (JR, Chambersburg, Pa.) for the final 6-2 margin.
VanBrakle (13-3) took the win allowing two runs, one earned, on one hit in five innings of work. She struck out six batters and in the process moved into second on Alabama's all-time strike out list with her 559th strike out.
The first game was a different story as the Crimson Tide jumped out of the gates early scoring four runs each in the second and third innings for an insurmountable lead.
Courtney had the big hit of the second inning when, with one-out and Bama leading 2-0, she doubled in Woods and Currie extending Alabama's lead to 4-0.
In the third inning, Dominique Accetturo led off with a double followed by a walk to Reed. Currie singled loading the bases with no outs. Woods then singled scoring Accetturo but Reed was thrown out at home. Following a fielder's choice by White where Currie was out at third, Wilkins singled loading the bases again with one out. Courtney reached on a fielder's choice scoring Woods. Staci Ramsey (JR, Houston, Texas) then singled back up the middle scoring White and Wilkins for an 8-0 Alabama lead.
Kentucky cut into the lead courtesy of a two-run home run from Katie Campbell in the top of the fourth, but Alabama responded with two more runs in the bottom of the fifth to end the game at 10-2.
Jennifer Wright (SR, Brentwood, Tenn.) moved her record to 11-2 on the season allowing two runs on four hits while throwing her fifth complete game of the season.
Wilkins led the Tide offense going 4-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. She tied her career high for hits in a game. It's been quite the week for Wilkins who recorded a career high four RBI in Bama's win over Samford on Thursday. She finished the day going 6-7 with four RBI and three runs scored.
Courtney wasn't far behind going 4-7 with three RBI and three runs scored in the doubleheader.
Alabama will go for the series sweep on Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Fans can follow all the action on 90.7 FM WVUA. Live stats and audio will also be available on www.rolltide.com.
