Alabama Softball Posts Second Straight Shutout, Defeating Robert Morris 4-0 Friday

Friday, March 3

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:30 p.m. CT

Alabama

13-3

Robert Morris

5-6

Robert Morris

Alabama

Alabama Softball Posts Second Straight Shutout, Defeating Robert Morris 4-0 Friday

3/3/2023 9:42:00 PM | Softball

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – After some early weather in the day affected the T-Mobile Crimson Classic schedule, Alabama posted a shutout in its only game of the day, defeating Robert Morris 4-0 Friday night at Rhoads Stadium.

Alabama (13-3) started the scoring early against Robert Morris (5-6), posting two in the first inning on a two-run single from Jordan Stephens and following it with runs in the second and third innings. The 4-0 lead held for the remainder as Lauren Esman (2-0) and the Tide defense limited the Colonials to just three baserunners over the final 4.0 innings.

Stephens' two-run single was part of a 2-for-3 day for the sophomore. Ashley Prange slugged her team-leading sixth home run of the season, a third inning solo shot, and Kali Heivilin notched her first career triple, coming home to score on an error on the very same play. Esman went the distance in the circle with a career-high nine strikeouts with just four hits and two walks allowed.

From Head Coach Patrick Murphy

"It was a great outing by Lauren [Esman] tonight. Nine strikeouts and a shutout, it doesn't matter who it is against these days in Division I softball with the way the offenses are taking over across the country. To get a shutout today is huge. Kudos to Lauren and [UA Pitching Coach] Lance [McMahon]. They had some hard and tough talks this week as a pitching staff. They came through in the clutch tonight for us."

Highlights

Three of Alabama's last four games have been shutout victories
The Tide is now 6-2 this season when scoring in first inning
Lauren Esman's 7.0 innings pitched and nine strikeouts are both career highs and tonight was her second shutout of the season, previously doing so vs. Indiana (Feb. 18)
Ashley Prange hit her team-leading sixth home run of the season and stretched her current on-base streak to nine games

Scoring Summary

B1 | Jordan Stephens drove in two on a single up the middle (2-0, 2 Out)
B2 | A triple to right from Kali Heivilin coupled with a throwing error scored another (3-0, 0 Out)
B3 | Ashley Prange cranked a solo home run to left center (4-0, 0 Out)

Up Next: T-Mobile Crimson Classic (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Saturday, March 4 vs. Robert Morris – 11 a.m. CT
Saturday, March 4 vs. Longwood – 1:30 p.m. CT
Sunday, March 5 vs. Longwood – 11:15 a.m. CT
Sunday, March 5 vs. Mercer – 1:45 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.