Alabama Softball Sweeps Sunday Doubleheader Over West Alabama
10/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama Softball swept its Sunday doubleheader against West Alabama, winning 9-3 and 8-0. The Crimson Tide got solid outings from its veteran pitchers while the freshmen hitters boosted the offense.
"During the second game, it was on purpose that the first five hitters in the line up were new kids,'" Head Coach Patrick Murphy said. "It was good to see [them play so well]. They are very capable."
Five Alabama newcomers had multi-hit performances in the opening game, with Caroline Hardy driving in four of the Tide's nine runs. In game two, Sydney Booker and Merris Schroder each knocked in a hit and scored a run batting second and third, respectively.
Alabama's pitchers combined for 19 strikeouts and just five hits allowed. The Tide had 21 hits in the two games and scored 17 runs.
"Sydney Littlejohn did a great job in the second game by only giving up one hit," Murphy said. "She really kept West Alabama off balance with a lot of swing-and-misses. Sydney was terrific the entire game. When batters swing and miss like that, she's throwing well."
Alabama will be back in action next Sunday, Oct. 25, when they host Shorter College in a doubleheader. Game one will start at 1:30 p.m. with game two starting approximately 20 minutes after the conclusion of game one.
"During the first game, we got a lot of hits but left some people on base," Murphy said. "I think during the second game it was almost the opposite where we had fewer hits but more runs. So, it's a work in progress. I think everyone is doing well in practice, working hard and hopefully it will all come together next weekend."
GAME ONE: ALABAMA 9, WEST ALABAMA 3
Alabama won the first game of the day, 9-3, freshman Madi Moore started on the mound for the Tide and pitched into the third allowing three runs before later re-entering to close the game with a scoreless seventh. Alexis Osorio came in to pitch after back-to-back walks to start the third and pitched four scoreless innings while allowing just one hit.
The Tide scored in each of the first four innings, putting up a three-spot to take the lead in the second. West Alabama tied the game in the third but the Tide scored one in the third and four more in the fourth to add some insurance. Freshman Caroline Hardy led the team with four RBI including a two-run home run. Junior Chandler Dare and freshman Reagan Dykes each had two RBI while Merris Schroder was 2-for-4 with one RBI.
GAME TWO: ALABAMA 8, WEST ALABAMA 0 (5 INNINGS)
Alabama used a four-run second and three-run third inning towards the five-inning shutout victory. Senior Kallie Case paced the offense with a two-run triple and an RBI double as part of a 2-2 performance. Peyton Grantham drove in a pair of runs while Sydney Booker, Merris Schroder and Caroline Hardy combined for three hits and two runs in the heart of the order.
Junior pitcher Sydney Littlejohn threw 5.0 innings in a complete-game shutout while striking out 10 batters and allowing just two hits.
