Tide Drops Semifinal Game to 11th Ranked Tennessee, 3-1
5/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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GAINESVILLE, FLA — The Alabama offense was slowed down a bit, as the ninth ranked Tide (55-13) could muster only five hits against the Tennessee Lady Vols, dropping its semifinal game against 11th ranked Tennessee (59-12) 3-1.
Alabama came into the game with a .400 batting average in the tournament (24-60).
Tennessee drew first blood, plating a run in the bottom of the first inning for a 1-0 lead, putting the Crimson Tide in a hole for the first time in the tournament.
Stephanie VanBrakle (JR, Chambersburg, Pa.) got the Tide on the board in the top of the seventh inning when she hit her ninth home run of the season and second of the tournament. It was also the second time she hit the ball over the scoreboard in left centerfield.
VanBrakle took the loss dropping her record to 28-6 on the season. She allowed two runs on five hits in five innings of work while striking out four batters.
The two teams will get together again on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET for an elimination game. The winner will advance to the SEC Tournament Championship.
Game Notes:
--Jackie Wilkins tied the Alabama record for hits in a SEC Tournament with her seventh.
--Ashley Courtney moved to fourth on UA all-time games played list with her 263rd.
--Game was delayed approximately 14 minutes due to a home plate umpire change. Charles Myers started the game behind the plate but was substituted in the middle of the third inning for Chad Stears due to heat exhaustion.
--Stephanie VanBrakle tied the SEC Tournament record for home runs in a SEC Tournament with her second.
--Alabama has lost two in a row to Tennessee in SEC Tournament play. The Tide was eliminated by the Lady Vols from last year's tournament.
PHOTO GALLERY
(Photos by Jeff Hanson)
Staci Ramsey hits off a tee before the game.
The team huddles up before the game.
Jackie Wilkins makes solid contact.
Stephanie VanBrakle delivers the pitch.
Dominique Accetturo relays the ball to first base.
Dominique Accetturo comes up with the grounder.
Coach Murphy talks with Mandy Burford and Capper Reed.
Capper Reed throws the ball back to the infield.
The Tide dugout watches the action.
Capper Reed gets her lead off first base.
