Tide Moves to Classic Championship Game
2/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ?? The No. 2 University of Alabama softball team earned its 10th win of the season and moved to the championship game of the Hampton Inn Crimson Classic with a routine 7-1 victory over Middle Tennessee Saturday night at the UA Softball Complex.
“I thought today was a great opportunity for us to judge the character of this team,” UA head coach Patrick Murphy said. “When we were down early against Georgia Tech, it was awesome to see two freshmen help lead us back and take the lead. Against Middle Tennessee, I thought we got some really good at-bats throughout our lineup. I was happy with our offense today.”
The Tide offense didn’t put up the type of numbers it had throughout the weekend, but it was effective nonetheless, generating seven runs and banging out 11 hits against the Blue Raiders. Alabama scored two in the first, one in the third, two in the fifth and two more in the sixth.
Brittany Rogers continued to terrorize opposing defenses, going 2-for-4 with three runs scored. Charlotte Morgan tallied two hits, including a double, and finished with three RBI. Ashley Holcombe went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Kellie Eubanks scored a run for the Tide.
Rogers finished the day with five hits in eight official at-bats, stole four bases and scored four runs in two wins. Morgan had four RBI on the day and Larsen had three, including hitting her third career home run in the win over Georgia Tech.
“One thing I learned today is that our offense is explosive and we will never be out of a game, no matter what the score,” Murphy said. “That’s a great weapon to have, but we need to keep getting better in each game in all areas.”
Chrissy Owens started in the circle and earned the victory, her third of the season. She went five complete innings, striking out five and walking one. Allison Moore came on in relief and pitched two innings, giving up two hits and one earned run while striking out two hitters.
“I was really happy with Chrissy tonight,” Murphy said. “She got her 500th career strikeout last night, which is a special achievement, and I thought she did a good job of taking care of business tonight.”
With the victory, Alabama moves to the title game of the Crimson Classic. Alabama faces the winner of the Georgia Tech-New Mexico semifinal contest on Saturday night. The consolation game featuring Middle Tennessee and the loser of the Yellow Jacket-Lobo matchup begins at 11 a.m. on Sunday with the championship game immediately following.
For game recaps, box scores, updated stats and audio and livestat links, log on to the official UA athletic web site, RollTide.com.
