Tide Softball Sweeps Doubleheader With Miss. State
4/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
TUSCALOOSA — The 10th ranked Crimson Tide softball team (43-9, 15-5 SEC) came out of the gates swinging and never looked back as Alabama swept a doubleheader over the Mississippi State Bulldogs (25-20, 6-11) 8-0 in five-innings and 4-1.
"The first game was terrific all the way around," said Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy. "In the second game we kind of sat on a four run inning. I wasn't too pleased with that but, I'll take the two wins anytime. Last year we had several big leads against them and they were able to come back on us so we knew they wouldn't give up today."
In the first game Alabama struck for three runs in the first inning starting with a leadoff single by Jackie Wilkins (SR, Miami, Fla.). Wilkins advanced to second on a wild pitch and came in to score on a double down the right field line by Jordan Praytor (FR, Vancouver, Wash.). Ashley Courtney (SR, Vero Beach, Fla.) singled scoring Praytor and then stole second. After two outs Capper Reed (SR, Guntersville, Ala.) singled scoring Courtney and the Tide had a 3-0 lead.
The Alabama offensive attack was even more relentless in the second inning plating four runs highlighted by a two-run home run by Stephanie VanBrakle (JR, Chambersburg, Pa.). After VanBrakle's home run, Dominique Accetturo (JR, Pembroke Pines, Fla.) doubled followed by a Staci Ramsey (JR, Houston, Texas) walk. Dani Woods (FR, Cockeysville, Md.) doubled scoring Accetturo and Ramsey for a 7-0 Alabama lead.
The Tide scored the final run in the third on an Accetturo sacrifice fly scoring Praytor for the final 8-0, five-inning victory.
VanBrakle (21-4) collected the win, her 21st of the season, allowing only two hits in five innings of work while striking out five batters. Kelli Miller (9-6) took the loss for the Bulldogs.
"Steph (VanBrakle) really hit her spots well today," said Murphy. "I was pleased with the effort she gave us."
Courtney (2-2), VanBrakle (2-3) and Woods (2-3) paced the Tide's offense in the first game with each collecting two hits while Woods drove in three runs.
It was much the same in the second game as Bama struck for four runs in the second inning for a 4-0 lead. Accetturo got things started with a one-out single but was out on a Ramsey fielder's choice. Woods then lifted a long fly ball to right field that was dropped by Mississippi State right fielder Katie Cooley allowing Ramsey to score and sending Woods to third. Reed singled to center field scoring Woods, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by State catcher Katie Johnson. Leah White (SR, Grayson, Ga.) reached on an infield single scoring Reed and she came in to score when Wilkins doubled in the left-center field gap for the 4-0 lead.
It was all Tide starting pitcher Jennifer Wright (SR, Brentwood, Tenn.) (15-3) needed as she picked up the win scattering five hits while allowing one run and striking out three batters in 5 1/3 innings of work. Chrissy Owens (FR, Miami, Fla.) came on in relief of Wright in the sixth inning and worked her way out of a jam while setting the Bulldogs down in order in the seventh en route to her ninth save of the season.
Wilkins and Accetturo picked up two hits each going 2-3.
Alabama will go for the series sweep on Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Fans can follow all the live action at http://www.rolltide.com/ where live stats and audio will be available. In the Tuscaloosa area, fans can tune into 90.7 FM WVUA where Chad Anderson will call all the balls and strikes.
PHOTO GALLERY
(All photos by Jeff Hanson)
