Alabama
Rhode Island
Bats Come Alive as Softball Defeats Rhode Island, 17-3
2/19/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 19, 2010
DELAND, Fla. - Alabama senior Alex Blewitt hit a pair of home runs and drove in six to lead the No. 8 ranked Crimson Tide to a convincing 17-3 to open the Hatter Invitational Friday at Patricia Wilson Field. With the win Alabama improves to 3-2 on the season while Rhode Island moves to 0-1.
The Tide wasted no time getting into the scoring action in the top of the first inning. Jennifer Fenton, who walked and stole second, scored on a hit by Charlotte Morgan, which was mishandled by the shortstop. Alex Blewitt had the big hit of the inning with a two-run homer over the right center field wall.
The runs kept coming for Alabama in the top of the second, scoring six more. Olivia Gibson, who was making her first start of the season, had a led the inning off with a homerun over the center field wall. The Tide batted around in the second and Gibson came through one again with an RBI double to center field. The big inning stretched Alabama's lead out to 9-1.
The Crimson Tide were clearly not satisfied with a 10-3 lead going into the top of the fourth, as Alabama would score six more in the inning. Kayla Braud provided a big double to left center, which scored Keima Davis and Jazlyn Lunceford. Blewitt once again came through with her second two-run jack of the game, this time over the right center field wall. The second six run inning gave the Tide a commanding 16-3 lead.
Alabama would score one more run in the top of the fifth, when Braud hit in her freshman roommate Jackey Branham with a sacrifice fly. The single run gave the Tide their final 17-3 lead.
Blewitt's two homers today give her three already on the season season despite only hitting in her previous three seasons combined.
Erika Szymanski was tagged with the loss for Rhode Island. Szymanski gave up 10 runs, nine earned, on 11 hits allowing two walks and only striking out one in three innings of work.
Amanda Locke picked up her first win of the season while giving up four hits and striking out two. Three runs were scored on Locke, but none of the three were earned.
Alabama continues action in the Hatter Invitational today with a 1:30 p.m. EST game against No. 14 Ohio State.
