Softball Forces Extra Innings but Falls to Virginia Tech, 8-3

Saturday, March 23

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1 p.m. CT

Alabama

25-6

Virginia Tech

25-5-1

Virginia Tech

Alabama

Softball Forces Extra Innings but Falls to Virginia Tech, 8-3

3/23/2024 5:08:00 PM | Softball

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The Crimson Tide rallies in the bottom of the seventh to tie it, the Hokies score five in the eighth

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama softball rallied in the bottom of the seventh to send Saturday's game against Virginia Tech to extra innings, but the Hokies scored five runs in the eighth to ultimately split the weekend series and defeat the Crimson Tide, 8-3.

Alabama (25-6) stranded two Virginia Tech (25-5-1) batters on base in both the second and third innings before the Hokies got on the board in the fourth with a leadoff solo home run. With the bases loaded and one out in the top of the fifth, the Tide couldn't turn the front end of an attempted double play as a run came home on what ended up as an RBI groundout to make it 2-0. Alabama had two on base in both the fifth and sixth innings but could not scratch a run across. The Hokies added some insurance in the top of the seventh with a sac fly RBI to make it 3-0.

Facing a three-run deficit in the bottom of the seventh, Kendal Clark bounced a hard-hit ball into the right field corner for a leadoff triple. After a popup for out number one, Lauren Esman pulled a single through the right side to drive in Clark and erase the shutout. A close play at first on a bunt went for out number two, advancing pinch runner Kinley Pate to second, and Jenna Johnson drew a walk to bring the potential winning run to the plate. Cahalan unloaded for her second triple of the day, driving in two to tie it at 3-3 before a strikeout ended the rally and sent the game to extra innings.

The Hokies punched right back in the top of the eighth however, scoring five runs to move ahead 8-3 and Alabama went down in order in the bottom half to end the game.

Cahalan went 2-for-4 with two triples, marking the fifth time in program history a player has hit two triples and the first since Sydney Booker on March 20, 2018 vs. UAB. Jenna Johnson got a hit and scored in the seventh inning, giving her a hit in four of the last five games. Four pitchers saw time in the circle, with Alea Johnson (3-1) ultimately credited with the loss.

From Head Coach Patrick Murphy

"I thought it was a really great series. Again, I truly appreciate Virginia Tech coming down here on their open weekend. We both had open weekends and you really don't get an opportunity often for a top 15 matchup after conference play starts, so I really appreciate them coming down. They're a really good team and their offense showed that today. I was really proud of our group in the bottom of the seventh for tying it up. When we're behind, the goal is to always bring the tying or go-ahead run at the plate and we did that. Sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn't. Unfortunately today was one of those days where it didn't happen, but overall it was just a really good series between these two teams with great pitching from both sides."

Highlights

The loss is Alabama's first in the all-time series vs. Virginia Tech, falling to 7-1 all-time vs. the Hokies
The Crimson Tide is 6-5 vs. ranked opponents this season
The game was Alabama's first extra inning game of year, its first since May 11 last season vs. Arkansas at the SEC Tournament
The Tide hit three triples in the game, tying the single-game school record and doing so for the first time since Feb. 14, 2016 vs. Liberty
Kenleigh Cahalan's two triples mark the fifth time in program history a player had two in a game, the first since Sydney Booker vs. UAB on March 20, 2018
Cahalan's 2-for-4 day gives her a hit in six of the last seven games, batting 7-for-19 (.368) over that stretch with three doubles, two triples and a home run and eight RBIs

Scoring Summary

T4 | Cori McMillan led off the inning with a solo home run (0-1, 0 Out)
T5 | With the bases loaded, a Virginia Tech run scored on an RBI groundout (0-2, 1 Out)
T7 | The Hokies added some insurance with a sac fly RBI (0-3, 1 Out)
B7 | Lauren Esman pulled an RBI single through the right side (1-3, 1 Out)
B7 | Kenleigh Cahalan tied the game with a two-run triple (3-3, 2 Out)
T8 | The Hokies retook the lead with a two-run single (3-5, 1 Out)
T8 | A wild pitch added another run for VT (3-6, 2 Out)
T8 | Michelle Chatfield hit a two-run home run (3-8, 2 Out)

Up Next: at #RV/23 Kentucky (Lexington, Ky.)

Thursday, March 28 – 5:30 p.m. CT
Friday, March 29 – 5:30 p.m. CT
Saturday, March 30 – 1 p.m. CT

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