Softball Splits Doubleheader at Husky Classic in Seattle
3/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
SEATTLE, Wash. ?? No. 1 Alabama won game one of a doubleheader against the University of Nevada, 5-2, before dropping the second game against the hometown University of Washington, 6-3, at the Washington Husky Classic in Seattle on Saturday.
"The breaks went their way in the second game and we couldn't get the big hits when we needed them," Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said. "Against Nevada, we took advantage of their mistakes and Chrissy Owens pitched a great game for us on the mound."
Game One
Chrissy Owens pitched a complete game and No. 1 Alabama remained undefeated by scoring three unearned runs against Nevada to take game one of Saturday's doubleheader, 5-2.
The Crimson Tide got on the board first in the second inning when Kellie Eubanks and Katie Johnson each scored, with Eubanks crossing the plate on a throwing error by the Nevada third baseman.
Alabama added two more runs in the fifth inning on a bases loaded walk to Kelley Montalvo and an RBI single by Charlotte Morgan.
The Tide was limited to six hits in the game, with two coming from Jordan Praytor and two more coming from Ashley Holcombe. But Owens was sharp, giving up just five hits and two runs in seven innings, both of which were earned. She struck out nine.
Game Two
Alabama kept things interesting against the University of Washington in game two, scoring three runs in the seventh inning, but the Tide couldn't get the tying run across, falling to the Huskies 6-3.
Down 6-1 going into the final inning, Brittany Rogers led off by reaching on an error by the Washington third baseman. Jordan Prayor and Kelly Montalvo each singled, loading the bases with nobody out. After a strikeout, Dani Woods then singled, scoring Rogers to cut the lead to four. After a second strikeout, Praytor then crossed the plate on a wild pitch to bring the Tide within three with the tying run at the plate.
But with two runners in scoring position, Kellie Eubanks struck out to end the Alabama threat. Alabama had just one hit going into the final inning before getting three in the final frame against Washington's Aleah Macon.
Macon struck out 11 batters over six innings.
Washington scored four runs in the first inning on a grand slam by Ashlyn Watson off Alabama's Kelsi Dunne. The Huskies scored two more runs in the second inning on a single by Jace Williams and a Tide throwing error.
After that, Dunne did not allow another hit and only two baserunners, but Alabama couldn't manage a rally at the plate until the final inning. Dunne went the distance for the Tide on the mound, allowing five hits and six runs while striking out seven.
Montalvo had two hits for the Tide. Woods and Katie Johnson had Alabama's only RBIs of the day.
