Murphy Collects 400th Win as Tide Advances to Championship
3/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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Alabama softball coach Patrick Murphy picked up his 400th career victory as the fifth ranked Crimson Tide defeated Coastal Carolina 4-2 and 5-2 to earn a spot in Sunday's Crimson Classic Championship.
"When (the PA announcer) said 'Everybody's attention to home plate' it was a really nice surprise," said Murphy. "I didn't even know about (the milestone)."
After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the fourth inning, Bama (14-3) answered with a run in the bottom half on back-to-back doubles from Jordan Praytor and Staci Ramsey.
The Crimson Tide claimed the lead in the bottom of the fifth plating three runs. Mandy Burford continued her hot hitting with a lead off single and advanced to second on a bunt single from Brittany Rogers. Praytor advanced both runners to second and third on a sacrifice. Drakes catcher Glynn Tolleson threw down to third in an attempt to get Burford but the ball got away allowing Burford to score and sending Rogers to third and Praytor to second. Ramsey flew out to right field scoring Rogers giving Bama a 3-2 lead while Praytor took third. Dani Woods then laid down a sacrifice scoring Praytor for the final 4-2 margin.
Stephanie VanBrakle (7-1) came on in relief of Blair Potter for the victory. VanBrakle threw the final 3.1 innings allowing only one hit while striking out seven batters.
The two teams turned around and battled for a spot in the championship game, but this time the Tide wasted no time taking control, as they grabbed a 5-0 lead in the first two innings.
Rogers led off the game with a single and stole second. Praytor singled her in and Bama immediately had a 1-0 lead.
Katie Johnson led off the second inning with a single, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. She came in to score on a one-out single by Burford for a 2-0 lead. Burford stole second and came around to score on a single by Rogers who took second on a throwing error from Coastal centerfielder Katey Allen. Praytor followed with a single to right field scoring Rogers. Praytor then stole second and went to third on a Ramsey single. Bama executed a double steal with Praytor stealing home giving the Tide an insurmountable 5-0 lead.
"It was nice to see the top of the order do so well. I thought it was their best back-to-back games of the year," said Murphy. "The second game they were both 4-4 with a walk apiece. We need some more of that; we need to find the groove."
VanBrakle collected her second win of the day throwing five innings of one-hit ball while striking out 11 batters.
Praytor finished the day going 4-4 with two RBI and three runs scored. She also stole two bases and drew a walk.
Alabama will take on Drake in the championship game even though the Bulldogs lost to Ohio State in the other semifinal game. Due to travel arrangements the Buckeyes are not able to play in the 1:30 p.m. game. Therefore Ohio State and Coastal Carolina will play in the consolation game at 11:00 a.m. followed by the championship game between the Tide and the Bulldogs at 1:30 p.m.
