Tide Softball Claims Pool ?A? Title at Judi Garman Classic
3/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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| Jordan Praytor |
Game Box
FULLERTON, CA??On the heels of a 3-1 victory over the Utah Utes, the sixth ranked Crimson Tide softball team (24-3) closed out pool play with a perfect 3-0 record.
Utah wasted no time jumping on top of Alabama as second baseman Jackie Wong singled on the first pitch of the game. She came around to score on a single, wild pitch and a suicide squeeze from Devina Quintero.
The Tide came right back in the bottom half of the first inning sparked by an infield single from Jordan Praytor. Praytor stole second and took third on a ground out by Stephanie VanBrakle. Staci Ramsey then singled deep in the hole at shortstop to score Praytor and the game was tied at 1-1.
Bama claimed the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, this time with the rally being sparked by senior Staci Ramsey. Ramsey drew a one-out walk and was pinch run for by Mallory Benak. Benak stole second and came around to score on a two-out single through the right side by Dani Woods staking the Tide a 2-1 lead.
Following a 31 minute-rain delay the Tide added to its lead courtesy of a two-out RBI double by Praytor. Kelley Montalvo doubled down the right field line and took third on a sacrifice by Brittany Rogers. Praytor then doubled off the fence in left-center field and Alabama was on top 3-1.
Chrissy Owens (8-2) went the distance, allowing one run on four hits in seven innings of work while striking out five batters.
"I don't think anybody was real awake in the first inning," said head coach Patrick Murphy. "After that though, Chrissy did well keeping (Utah) in check"
Alabama claimed the Pool A title placing them in the 9:00 a.m. PT Saturday game against the winner of the Arizona/CS-Northridge game.
Fans can follow all the action on www.rolltide.com where live stats and audio will be available. In the Tuscaloosa area, Nic Hoch can be heard calling all the balls and strikes on 90.7 FM WVUA.
GAME NOTES
--Staci Ramsey tied Carrie Moreman for ninth on the UA all-time hit list with 193.
--The game was delayed 31 minutes in the middle of the fifth inning due to rain.
--Brittany Rogers' 14-game hitting streak came to an end. It's the third longest streak in school history.
--Alabama leads the all-time series against Utah 3-2.
