Alabama
40-4, 13-3
Kentucky
25-23, 1-18
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Alabama | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 1 |
Softball Hits Four Home Runs in 9-0 Run Rule Win Friday over Kentucky
4/17/2026 9:11:00 PM | Softball
Audrey Vandagriff ended the game early with a three-run home run in the sixth inning
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama softball hit four home runs, including a game-ending shot from Audrey Vandagriff, to give the Crimson Tide the 9-0 run rule win in six innings over Kentucky in Friday's series opener at Rhoads Stadium.
After a scoreless opening frame, Alabama (40-4, 13-3 SEC) drove in at least one run in each of the next five innings while Kentucky (25-23, 1-18 SEC) was held scoreless on just four hits. The Tide hit four home runs, its fourth game this season hitting four or more, to push the team's total to 76 this year which is already the seventh-highest total in program history. One of the home runs came off the bat of Brooke Wells, her 19th of the season to move her into a three-way tie for fourth place in Alabama single-season history with Marisa Runyon (2015) and Charlotte Morgan (2008). Vandagriff ended the game with a three-run home run in the sixth inning, marking the second time this year she has capped a run-rule win with a home run after previously doing so vs. Liberty on Feb. 14. Jocelyn Briski (17-1) got the win in the circle, her third complete game shutout of the year and her second in the last three starts.
From Head Coach Patrick Murphy
"You have to give a lot of credit to Jocelyn Briski. Every single time she goes out there, she gives us an opportunity to win which is the number one thing a pitcher can do. To throw a shutout in the SEC and even in Division I softball nowadays is quite a feat. So, kudos to her, Marlie [Giles] and Lance [McMahon] and then the defense behind her. Offensively, after the first inning we scored in every single inning after that. We kept the gas pedal down and I was really pleased with that."
Highlights
- The win was Alabama's 40th of the year, already matching last year's win total and surpassing the 39 wins from 2024
- The game was Alabama's fourth this season hitting four or more home runs, its first since Feb. 21 at Florida State
- As a team, the Crimson Tide's 76 home runs this season is the seventh-highest total in program history and just one shy of tying the 77 home runs from the 2008 season for sixth place
- Brooke Wells hit her 19th home run of the year, putting her in a three-way tie for fourth place in UA single season history with Marisa Runyon (2015) and Charlotte Morgan (2008)
- Jocelyn Briski threw her third complete-game shutout of the season, two of which have come in her last three starts
- Alexis Pupillo's reached base streak came to an end at a career-best 39 games
Scoring Summary
- B2 | Alabama scored on back-to-back doubles from Jena Young and Audrey Vandagriff (1-0, 0 Out)
- B3 | Marlie Giles hit a two-run home run (3-0, 1 Out)
- B4 | Brooke Wells added two more with a home run to right field (5-0, 1 Out)
- B5 | Ana Roman led off the inning with a solo home run (6-0, 0 Out)
- B6 | Vandagriff ended the game early with a three-run home run (9-0, 0 Out)
Up Next: vs. Kentucky (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
- Saturday, April 18 - 1:30 p.m. CT
- Sunday, April 19 - 1:30 p.m. CT
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Briski, Jocelyn (17-1)
L: Abby Hammond (3-5)
Batting:
2B: Allie Blum 1
Base Running:
SB: Allie Blum 1
Batting:
2B: Young, Jena 1 ; Vandagriff, Audrey 1
HR: Wells, Brooke 1 ; Giles, Marlie 1 ; Vandagriff, Audrey 1 ; Roman, Ana 1
RBI: Wells, Brooke 2 ; Giles, Marlie 2 ; Vandagriff, Audrey 4 ; Roman, Ana 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Wells, Brooke 1 ; Taylor, Ambrey 1 ; Giles, Marlie 1 ; Hubbard, Mari 1 ; Young, Jena 2 ; Vandagriff, Audrey 1 ; Roman, Ana 1 ; White, Kristen 1
SB: Griggs, Gerritt 1 ; Roman, Ana 1 ; Pate, Kinley 1
HBP: Hawkins, Salen 1
