Tide Softball Gets Wild Victory over Birmingham-Southern
3/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
In a game reminiscent of an old Keystone Cops caper, the sixth-ranked Alabama softball team (26-4) scored 10 runs in the final two innings to earn a wild 14-6, five-inning victory over in-state rival Birmingham-Southern (19-6).
Alabama recorded season highs in both runs and hits while taking advantage of seven Birmingham-Southern errors en route to the win. The Tide worked around two errors of its own, a wild pitch and breakdowns in communication to come away with the victory.
The Tide jumped out to early 3-0 lead in the first inning but then fell behind 6-4 in the third inning before jumping back in the fourth and fifth innings for the run-rule win.
"I don't know if it was a case of ??spring break-itis' or what was going on there," said Bama head coach Patrick Murphy. "It was kind of a (strange) third inning. Everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong. They had some good execution in their bunting game and we just didn't make plays. But I was proud of the way we came back putting up 10 runs in two innings so it was good to see that."
Jordan Praytor got Bama going in the first inning with her third home run of the season, a solo shot over the right field fence. Staci Ramsey kept the rally going drawing a one-out walk and took second on a single through the left side by Stephanie VanBrakle. Following a Dani Woods fly out, both runners advanced on a wild pitch. BSC catcher Jennifer Welborn was unable to get a handle on the next pitch. Her throw back to starting pitcher Kristina Villavicencio got away allowing Ramsey to score from third and the Tide was on top 2-0. Dominique Accetturo drew a two-out walk followed by another walk to Katie Johnson loading the bases. Ashley Holcombe was hit by a pitch forcing in VanBrakle and the Tide grabbed a 3-0 lead.
After Birmingham-Southern answered in the top of the second with a run, Alabama extended its lead back to three runs in the bottom half of the second. Praytor reached on a swinging bunt and advanced all the way to third on heads up base running when Ramsey grounded out to third. VanBrakle blooped a single into centerfield scoring Praytor pushing the Bama lead to 4-1.
Birmingham Southern erupted in the third inning plating five runs on four hits while taking advantage of an Alabama error to claim a 6-4 lead.
Alabama failed to score in the bottom of the third, but finally erupted, reclaiming the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Brittany Rogers led off the inning with a single but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Praytor reached on an error and advanced to third on a double to centerfield by Ramsey. VanBrakle was intentionally walked loading the bases for Woods who singled up the middle scoring Praytor and Ramsey, tying the game at 6-6; Woods advanced to second on the throw putting runners on second and third with one out. Villavicencio unleashed a wild pitch scoring VanBrakle and advancing Woods to third and giving Bama the lead back at 7-6. Accetturo followed with a single through the left side scoring Woods and the Tide was up 8-6.
Things fell apart for the Panthers in the fifth inning as they committed five errors while Alabama took advantage of every one of the BSC miscues, scoring six runs off five hits and the five errors for the final 14-6 margin.
Chrissy Owens (9-2) came on in relief, throwing the final 2.1 innings and recording six strikeouts to pick up the win.
"I was really pleased with Chrissy the way she came in and struck out six in 2.1 innings," said Murphy. "Blair (Potter) just had some hard luck. She pitched ok, she just didn't get any bounces or any support behind her. We'll put her back out there in a heartbeat."
Alabama gets back into conference play this weekend when the team hosts the second ranked Tennessee Lady Vols in a three game series. A limited number of tickets remain and fans can purchase them at the stadium on the day of the game.
GAME NOTES
--Jordan Praytor extended her hitting streak to five games.
--Katie Johnson extended her hitting streak to six games.
--Praytor broke her career high for runs scored in a game with four.
--Alabama recorded season highs in runs (14) and hits (15).
