Tide Posts Comeback to Sweep Double Header Over Auburn
3/23/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
 |
|
Game 2 Box Score Game 3 Box Score
TUSCALOOSA—The University of Alabama softball team (33-7, 6-3) waited till the last possible moment before it came up with its biggest clutch hit of the series as the Tide posted a 4-3 come-from-behind victory en route to a doubleheader sweep over the Auburn Tigers (30-9, 6-3).
The 10th ranked Crimson Tide struggled all series to find that one clutch hit having stranded 29 total base runners including leaving the bases loaded six times. But in the bottom of the seventh with one out and runners on second and third, freshman Dani Woods (FR, Cockeysville, Md.) finally got that big hit.
"It just seemed like there were so many opportunities the whole series for us with the bases loaded (six) times and only scored one run," said head coach Patrick Murphy. "And you just think as a coach 'Is it going to last are we going to get another opportunity or are we going to blow all the opportunities?' And then finally we came through in the seventh. We always tell them 'it doesn't matter if it's the first inning, the seventh inning, bottom of the seventh, two outs, you've got a life.' That's the greatest thing about softball and baseball is that it isn't over till it's over."
Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning Staci Ramsey (JR, Houston, Texas) drew a one-out walk and was pinch run for by Deasy Phillips (SR, Katy, Texas). Dominique Accetturo (JR, Pembroke Pines, Fla.) singled, advancing Phillips to second and was pinch run for by Capper Reed (SR, Guntersville, Ala.). Stephanie VanBrakle (JR, Chambersburg, Pa.) drove a single through the right side scoring Phillips tying the game at 3-3. Reed advanced to third on the play. Woods came up and on the first pitch she saw drove in the biggest run of her young career as she singled to right field scoring Reed and ending the game.
Bama jumped on top early, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Ashley Courtney (SR, Vero Beach, Fla.) reached on a one-out single and advanced all the way to third when Tiger left fielder Lauren Walton let the ball get under her glove. Following a Ramsey line out, Accetturo singled in Courtney for the early lead.
Auburn took the lead scoring two runs in the top of the fourth and added to it with another run in the fifth for a 3-1 lead.
Alabama cut into the lead in the bottom of the fifth when Ramsey grounded out to short with the bases loaded but scored Jordan Praytor (FR, Vancouver, Wash.) in the process, cutting the lead to 3-2 setting up the seventh inning fireworks.
Chrissy Owens (FR, Miami, Fla.) picked up the win in relief throwing the final 1 2/3 innings allowing only one hit while striking out two batters. Her record improved to 7-1 on the season.
In the first game of the day, which was being continued from Tuesday night after tornadoes caused a delay, Bama claimed a 6-4 win.
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the second, the Crimson Tide plated three runs to go on top 3-1. Woods started the rally with a home run to center field tying the game at 1-1. Following back-to-back fielder's choices, Courtney doubled advancing Wilkins to third. Ramsey followed and hit a ball that Tiger third baseman Kristina McCain couldn't handle allowing Wilkins and Courtney to score for a 3-1 lead.
The Tide added to its lead in the third aided again by an Auburn error. Leah White (SR, Grayson, Ga.) reached on a miscue by Tiger second baseman Lolani Alvarez and promptly stole second. Praytor singled, advancing White to third and took second on the throw back to the infield. Wilkins grounded out scoring White and Courtney followed with a triple scoring Praytor for a 5-1 lead.
Auburn cut the lead to 5-4 with runs in the fourth and fifth innings but would get no closer as Alabama cushioned its lead with a run in the sixth for the final 6-4 margin.
Jennifer Wright (SR, Brentwood, Tenn.) pushed her record to 12-2 allowing four runs on seven hits in five innings of work. Owens came on and picked up her fifth save of the season, tying the school record for saves in a season. She threw the final two innings yielding no hits while striking out two batters.
The sweep pushed Alabama into a tie with the Tigers for first place in the SEC West division at 6-3. The Crimson Tide pushed its all-time record against Auburn to 21-12 and has yet to lose a series to the Tigers in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama will have Thursday off before getting back to action on Friday as the team begins a three-game series in Baton Rouge, Louisiana against the LSU Tigers.
PHOTO GALLERY:
(All photos by Jeff Hanson)
