Reed Home Runs Help Tide Sweep Mississippi State
4/11/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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TUSCALOOSA — Capper Reed was a part of home run history today as Alabama completed its sweep of SEC West rival Mississippi State with a 9-1 five-inning victory over the Bulldogs (25-21, 6-12).
Reed (SR, Guntersville, Ala.) became the fourth player in Alabama history to record multiple, multi-home run games and she was also part of the Tide's third back-to-back combo of the season in the sixth inning, with her solo blast ending the game. Her second home run, the 17th of her career, also moved her in to ninth on Alabama's all-time home run list. Reed's first multi-home run game came against Cornell in last year's NCAA Regional tournament in Los Angeles.
"(Capper) does that all the time in practice," said Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy. "She's a hitting machine in practice and she needs to take it into the game and today she did. It was vintage Capper. She hits those shots in practice so I'm really happy for her."
The 10th ranked Crimson Tide (44-9, 16-5) blew the game open and then finished it off in the sixth on the strength of a six-run inning highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Dani Woods (Cockeysville, Md.) and Reed.
Entering the sixth with a 3-1 lead, Jordan Praytor (FR, Vancouver, Wash.) led off with a double down the right field line. Stephanie VanBrakle (JR, Chambersburg, Pa.) drew a one-out walk and Praytor advanced to third on a passed ball. Deasy Phillips (SR, Katy, Texas) came on to pinch run for VanBrakle and promptly stole second. Dominique Accetturo (JR, Pembroke Pines, Fla.) drew a walk loading the bases and all three runners came in to score on a double to the left center field wall off the bat of Staci Ramsey (JR, Houston, Texas). Woods followed with her fifth home run of the season, a two-run shot over the right field fence and Reed gave Alabama its third back-to-back home run combo of the season when she took a 1-2 pitch and skipped it over the top of the scoreboard in left-center field for the final 9-1 margin.
Alabama spotted State a run in the top of the first inning before tying it at 1-1 in the third. Jackie Wilkins (SR, Miami, Fla.) led off and reached on an error and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Praytor. Ashley Courtney (SR, Vero Beach, Fla.) singled back up the middle scoring Wilkins from second for the tie game.
The Crimson Tide claimed the lead in the fourth plating two runs, highlighted by Reed's first home of the game, a line drive over the center field fence.
VanBrakle (22-4) collected her 22nd win of the season throwing her 18th complete game of the season. She gave up one unearned run on only one hit while in five innings of work. Bulldog pitcher Kelli Miller took the loss dropping her record to 9-6 on the season.
"(VanBrakle) has been really consistent for us all year long," said Murphy. "I think I can remember only one bad game of about 28 starts."
Courtney and Reed paced the Alabama offense with two hits each. Reed finished 2-2 with two home runs and three RBI while Courtney was 2-3 with one RBI. Ramsey also recorded three RBI, going 1-3.
The Crimson Tide will step out of conference play on Wednesday when the team hosts the Birmingham-Southern Panthers with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
PHOTO GALLERY
(All photos by Jeff Hanson)
Coach Patrick Murphy chats with the umpires before the game.
Capper Reed gets high fives from her teammates.
The teams line up for the national anthem.
Leah White throws on to first.
Staci Ramsey tries to throw out the runner.
The team watches the action from the dugout.
Dani Woods hits a line drive.
Capper Reed watches the pitcher from first base.
Ashley Courtney tries to hold the bag at second base.
Stephanie VanBrakle delivers a pitch.
Staci Ramsey is congratulated at home plate by her teammates.
Capper Reed touches home and gets mobbed by her teammates.
The team celebrates an SEC series sweep.
Big Al visits with some young Tide fans.
It was a beautiful day for softball in Tuscaloosa.
