Alabama Battles to 4-3 Wednesday Win over UAB

Wednesday, March 20

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6 p.m. CT

Alabama

24-5

UAB

12-16

UAB

Alabama

Jenna Johnson (88) rounds the bases after a home run vs. UAB (March 20, 2024)

Alabama Battles to 4-3 Wednesday Win over UAB

3/20/2024 9:19:00 PM | Softball

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama softball was knotted up in a close battle against in-state foe UAB Wednesday night at Rhoads Stadium, with a go-ahead sixth inning RBI single from Jenna Johnson ultimately making the difference in the 4-3 win.

An Alabama (24-5) fielding error in the top of the second plated a run for UAB (12-16) and the Blazers added another unearned run later in the inning on a two-out RBI single to take the early two-run lead. A Johnson solo homer in the bottom of the third plated the first Crimson Tide run and Kenleigh Cahalan put the home team in front later in the frame with a two-run single.

UAB tied it up at 3-3 with a fifth-inning RBI single and, with two on and one out in the bottom of the sixth, Johnson's second hit of the day drove in Kristen White from second to give the Tide the 4-3 lead. Jocelyn Briski (4-0) retired the side in order in the seventh to close out the game and earn the win in relief.

Johnson was 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot with a solo home run and RBI single, her fourth multi-hit game of the season. The home run was her third of the year, two of which have come in the last three games. Kali Heivilin was 2-for-3 batting behind her, her second two-hit performance in the last three games. Cahalan's two-run single extended her hitting streak to five games and she has at least one RBI in each of those five games. Briski earned the win in relief, not allowing a single baserunner while striking out five over 3.0 innings pitched.

From Head Coach Patrick Murphy

"Jenna Johnson hit the ball really well off a tough pitcher. One of her career goals was to hit an opposite field home run, which she was able to accomplish tonight. She was good all night. Jocelyn Briski was rolling tonight, so we stuck with her. Her control was really good and she hit all her spots. UAB is better at this point in the season than when we saw them earlier in the season. They're a good team."

Highlights

Alabama improves to 33-0 all-time vs. UAB, 17-0 in Tuscaloosa
The Tide is now 4-4 this season when the opponent scores first
Wednesday was Alabama's first win this season when tied or trailing after the fifth inning
Jenna Johnson's home run was her third of the season, two of which have come in the last three games
Kenleigh Cahalan extended her hitting streak to five games, driving in at least one RBI in each
Jocelyn Briski earned her second win in as many days, not allowing a single baserunner to reach over 3.0 innings pitched

Scoring Summary

T2 | A UAB run came home on an errant throw on a sac bunt attempt (0-1, 0 Out)
T2 | The Blazers added another on an RBI single to shallow right (0-2, 2 Out)
B3 | Jenna Johnson hit a solo home run to right (1-2, 1 Out)
B3 | Kenleigh Cahalan drove in two with a single up the middle (3-2, 2 Out)
T5 | UAB tied it up with an RBI single up the middle (3-3, 0 Out)
B6 | Johnson drove in the go-ahead run with a single into center field (4-3, 1 Out)

Up Next: vs. #16/12 Virginia Tech (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Friday, March 22 – 6 p.m. CT
Saturday, March 23 – 1 p.m. CT

For the latest information on the team, follow @AlabamaSB on X/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.