Alabama
23-8
UAB
13-16
Alabama Softball Shuts Out UAB, 12-0, in Five Innings
3/22/2023 8:39:00 PM | Softball
Alex Salter throws a one-hit shutout, offense rides a seven-run second inning to the run-rule win
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama softball was efficient in all phases of the game Wednesday night at Rhoads Stadium, dispatching UAB, 12-0, in just over an hour behind a one-hit shutout from Alex Salter and a big day at the plate for the offense.
Alabama (23-8) tallied a season-high 14 hits in the win over UAB (13-16), scoring two runs in the first inning before hanging a crooked number in the second with nine runs on seven hits and an error to make it 11-0. Another in the third brought the score to 12-0, which ultimately proved final as Salter (3-1) and the defense made quick work of the Blazers down the stretch. A one-out single in the top of the fifth broke up Salter's perfect game bid, otherwise retiring 15 of the 16 batters she faced.
On the offensive side of the ball, nine players combined for 14 hits, including a 3-for-3 day from Ally Shipman with two RBIs. Bailey Dowling was 2-for-2 batting in front of Shipman, extending her hitting streak to five games which is one shy of her career long set last season. Kenleigh Cahalan was 2-for-3 with two runs scored from the leadoff spot and Kali Heivilin was also 2-for-3 batting behind her, including a solo home run to get the scoring started for the Crimson Tide in the first inning.
From Head Coach Patrick Murphy
"Sometimes, you just have to go through the hard stuff to get to the good stuff. I told the team one of my favorite quotes tonight - 'Smooth seas never made a skilled sailor.' Sometimes it's rough, but you learn a lot about yourself as a team and as a coaching staff. You learn what you're made out of. [Alex] Salter did a great job tonight. It was probably her best game she's pitched for us. The defense played well. Then, obviously you get five hits in the first inning and seven in the second and you kind of bury them early. Last time we played them it was a close ball game, so this was a big difference."
Highlights
- The 14 hits ties Alabama's season high, previously doing so in the win against Indiana (Feb. 18)
- The Crimson Tide is now 16-4 this season when scoring first and 10-3 when scoring first inning
- The nine runs scored in the second inning is tie for the most by Alabama this season, previously doing so against Georgia Southern (Feb. 11)
- Bailey Dowling extends her hitting streak to five games, one shy of career best set last season
Scoring Summary
- B1 | Kali Heivilin sent a solo home run over the fence in right center (1-0, 1 Out)
- B1 | Ally Shipman dropped a single into left and Ashely Prange scored from second (2-0, 1 Out)
- B2 | Kenleigh Cahalan dropped an RBI single into left field (3-0, 0 Out)
- B2 | A bases-loaded single from Bailey Dowling moved everyone up 60 feet to score a run (4-0, 0 Out)
- B2 | Shipman followed with another bases-loaded single to drive in a run (5-0, 0 Out)
- B2 | A bases-loaded walk to Emma Broadfoot scored another for the Tide (6-0, 0 Out)
- B2 | Faith Hensley knocked in two with a single through the right side (8-0, 0 Out)
- B2 | An RBI groundout allowed Broadfoot to score from third (9-0, 0 Out)
- B2 | Another RBI groundout improved the Tide's lead to double digits (10-0, 1 Out)
- B2 | A fielding error extended the inning and allowed an unearned run to score (11-0, 2 Out)
- B3 | An Alabama run scored on a double play (12-0, 0 Out)
Up Next: at #4/3 Tennessee (Knoxville, Tenn.)
- Friday, March 24 – 4 p.m. CT
- Saturday, March 25 – 4 p.m. CT (SEC Network)
- Sunday, March 26 – 12:30 p.m. CT
For the latest information on the team, follow @AlabamaSB on Twitter, BamaSB on Instagram and Alabama Softball on Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Salter, Alex (3-1)
L: Cespedes, S. (6-6)
Batting:
HR: Heivilin, Kali 1
RBI: Cahalan, Kenleigh 1 ; Heivilin, Kali 1 ; Dowling, Bailey 1 ; Shipman, Ally 2 ; Broadfoot, Emma 1 ; Hensley, Faith 2 ; Preuitt, Larissa 1 ; White, Kristen 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cahalan, Kenleigh 2 ; Heivilin, Kali 2 ; Prange, Ashley 2 ; Dowling, Bailey 1 ; Gidley, M'Kay 1 ; Shipman, Ally 1 ; Broadfoot, Emma 1 ; Hensley, Faith 1 ; White, Kristen 1
SB: Hensley, Faith 1 ; White, Kristen 1
HBP: Prange, Ashley 1
