Tide Drops Game One to Auburn; Game Two Suspended
3/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Wednesday's action to begin at 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005 |
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TUSCALOOSA—The ninth ranked Crimson Tide softball team (31-7, 4-3) was unable to hold on to a 2-0 lead heading into the sixth inning as they dropped the first game of a three game series to the 25th ranked Auburn Tigers (30-7, 6-1) 4-2.
Bama claimed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second on a Leah White (SR, Grayson, Ga.) double down the left field line scoring Emily Currie (SR, Huntsville, Ala.) who was hit by a pitch earlier in the inning.
The Tide doubled its lead in the fifth inning when Ashley Courtney (SR, Vero Beach, Fla.) tripled scoring Jackie Wilkins (SR, Miami, Fla.) extending Alabama's lead to 2-0.
Auburn answered in the top of the sixth inning, scoring two runs to tie the game and took an insurmountable 4-2 lead in the top of the seventh inning.
The Crimson Tide threatened in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases with one out, but Stephanie VanBrakle and Emily Currie recorded back-to-back strikeouts ending the Bama threat.
Alabama was unable to come up with the big hit all night as the Tide stranded 11 runners, ending the inning three times with the bases loaded.
VanBrakle took the loss dropping her record to 14-4. She allowed four runs, only one earned, on nine hits while striking out seven batters.
The second game was scheduled to be played immediately following but it was cut short in the bottom of the first inning because of tornadoes in the area.
The two teams will reconvene at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday beginning with the conclusion of Game Two followed by the final game of the series.
PHOTO GALLERY:
(Photos by Dusty Compton)
The two teams line up as Captain Patrick Saint throws out the first pitch.
Captain Patrick Saint greets the team.
Capper Reed waves to the team on "Capper Reed Night".
Capper Reed talks with fans before the game.
The Tide fans get into the action.
Coach Murphy talks with the umpires about a call at home plate.
