Road trip south has a happy ending.
Alabama 15, South Alabama 3 (5 Inn)
For the third time this season (out of five), the Crimson Tide (20-7) took a midweek trip to play one of the other state programs. Except this time, it was Mobile, which if you are not aware, is no casual drive up the road like Birmingham is. It is roughly three and a half hour drive. But that is not what Patrick Murphy did. As has become his tradition, he took the entire team to the thriving metropolis of Clanton, Alabama to visit Marlie Giles hometown – which adds another hour to the trip. At least it wasn’t late in the season.
Kinda odd that Murphy did this seeing how Giles is a junior. Additionally, Bama plays Alabama State later in the season in Montgomery – which actually IS along the route. But I digress…
The Bama bats bombarded the overwhelmed Jaguars (11-15) for ten hits, three of which were of the four base variety. Alexis Pupillo (3 RBI HR), Kali Heivilin (2 RBI HR), Brooke Ellestad (solo) all went long. [This was the kind of game that Lauren Johnson should have started. And Kristen White did not even play.]
Pupillo finished 2-2 with 2 runs, 4 RBI, and a walk. Audrey Vandagriff stole three more bases.
Keeping up the tradition of the player whose house/hometown was visited by the team falling flat in the next game, Giles was the only Bama starter to not get on base, going 0-3 and twice making an out with runners on second and third. Wow. Who saw that coming? Even freshman pitcher Braya Hodges had a hit in a pinch-hitting role (Oh, boy. Here we go again.).
Once again, Jocelyn Briski had a slow start. The sophomore gave up a triple to the second batter. After a ground out, a single produced the first USA run. Following a 1-2-3 2nd inning, the Jags got two on via walk and single with no outs in the 3rd. Briski started a nifty third-to-first double play to get out of danger.
With an 11-1 lead, Mary Elizabeth Emily Winstead came in to pitch the bottom of 4th. She gave up a home run to the first batter she faced and then hit the next batter. After a sac bunt, she walked a Jaguar to put two on, but induced a pop up and struck out the number nine hitter.
Alea Johnson entered the fray in the 5th with a 15-2 lead. At this point, you just want an easy inning and let’s go home. But instead, the Jags put together a couple of singles to tack a third run on the board.
RANKINGS & ACCOLADES
Alabama’s rankings are just barely hanging in there at # 22, 24, 24, 25.
Audrey Vandagriff stolen bases: 34
Brittany Rogers: 60
Still no Alabama players being recognized as SEC Softball Players of the Week.
[SIDE NOTE: Alexis DeBoer was named D1Softball’s Player of the Week after hitting five home runs over four games. She has 12 on the season.]
BAMA SCHEDULE
Alabama begins SEC play on Friday against red hot MSU (22-3). Hopefully, the Tide can quickly recoup from this whirlwind road trip and be ready for the Bullies.
- Friday, Mar 14 vs Mississippi State 6pm/7pm
- Saturday, Mar 15 vs Mississippi State 2pm/3pm – Kali Heivilin Senior Day
- Sunday, Mar 16 vs Mississippi State 1:30/2:30
