Alabama
Northwestern State
Softball Sweeps Opening Day with Two Solid Victories
2/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 7, 2009
MOBILE, Ala. - The No. 2/3 ranked Alabama softball team swept its two opening day contests to start the 2009 campaign. The Crimson Tide handled Northwestern State 12-2 in the season opener and then came back to beat Memphis 7-2 in the night cap Saturday at the South Alabama Invitational at Jaguar Field.
"It was a good start but obviously there is a lot more that we need to do," head coach Patrick Murphy said. "We need to collect more key hits and clean up our defense. The freshmen were a true bright spot for us today. They had a lot of opportunities and took full advantage of them."
Alabama was led on the day by newcomer Cassandra Reilly-Boccia. The newcomer was 5-for-6 with five RBI and two runs scored. Usual suspects Brittany Rogers was 6-for-8 with five stolen bases while junior Charlotte Morgan was 3-for-6 with a home run and a team-leading six RBI.
Game 1
The No. 2/3 ranked Alabama softball team opened its 2009 campaign with a 12-2 victory over Northwestern State in the South Alabama Invitational opener Saturday morning. With the opening day victory, the Crimson Tide move to 1-0 and has won six straight season openers and has not lost an opener since 2003.
"I am really happy for Amanda Locke in her first start. It is nice to have her out there," head coach Patrick Murphy said. "Every freshman helped contribute to the win today. It was good to see everyone put the ball in play and make things happen in the opener."
Junior first baseman Charlotte Morgan started 2009 just like she ended 2008. The All-American drove in five runs on a 3-for-4 effort from the plate. Morgan delivered the big blow with a two-run home run in the fourth. Morgan drove in her first two RBI on a double down the left field line in the second.
In the second, Alabama plated three runs and also exploded for four runs in the fourth and three more in the seventh. The Crimson Tide banged out 12 hits in the season opener compared to the six by the Demons.
Senior Brittany Rogers also started the new season in impressive fashion as the fleet-footed All-American batted 3-for-4 with three runs and three stolen bases. Amanda Locke banged out two hits and added an RBI while sophomore Whitney Larsen batted 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
Newcomer Cassandra Reilly-Boccia collected two hits, two runs and drove in two in three at-bats. The Alabama true freshmen combined to bat 4-for-6 in their collegiate debuts.
In her first career start, Locke earned the win by fanning six and scattering six hits in the complete game effort. The Tide will face Memphis in its last contest of opening day.
Game 2
The No. 2/3 ranked Alabama softball team capped off an opening day sweep by defeating Memphis 7-2 in the night cap of the South Alabama Invitational. The Crimson Tide banged out 11 hits to secure the victory Saturday night at Jaguar Field. After the day, Alabama improves to 2-0 on the new season.
"(Cassandra)Reilly-Boccia was really awesome today," head coach Patrick Murphy said. "She was very consistent in the first two games. Brittany (Rogers) also put together a great day and made things happen for us on the base paths all day long."
Alabama continued to pour on the runs in game two. In the first frame, the Crimson Tide tallied behind the strength of a two-run double to left by freshman Cassandra Reilly-Boccia. Senior Lauren Parker drove in the final run of the inning on a ground out to second base.
After scoring once in the second, the Tide tacked on three more in the fourth. Junior Charlotte Morgan added to her RBI total by getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Reilly-Boccia then took a walk to run her RBI total to three in the game. Senior Kelley Montalvo capped off the inning with a RBI single up the middle.
Senior Brittany Rogers collected three hits for the second consecutive game. The All-American scored two runs, drove in one and swiped two bags. The newcomer Reilly-Boccia was a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI to cap off a stellar debut. Fellow freshman Jennifer Fenton batted 2-for-4 with two runs and two stolen bases in her first collegiate start.
Morgan earned the victory in the circle, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out seven in the complete game effort.
UA will play a total of two games to finish tournament play for the weekend. UA will face Jacksonville State to open play on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and then follow that up with a 2:00 p.m. contest against host South Alabama.
