Alabama Crimson Tide Softball Drops Home Series to Mississippi State

Alabama got off to a dubious start to the SEC schedule by getting run ruled in Game 1. They rebounded later in the day but lost the finale on Sunday.

GAME 1: MISS. STATE 9, ALABAMA 1 (6 inn.)

There used to be a time when Alabama getting run ruled – much less at home – was a figment of fantasy. In the last few seasons, it seems to have happened with more often. The Crimson Tide got off to a cold start and you have to wonder if a certain long midweek one-game road trip had something to do with it.

In the series opener, Bama collected 8 hits and 3 walks. They had base runners in every inning but could not cash them in. The Tide left 11 runners on base for the game.

Patrick Murphy used Jocelyn Briski, Catelyn Riley, and oddly enough little-used freshman Braya Hodges in the circle and all were equally rocked by the Bullies.

MSU opened the scoring in the 1st on a little small-ball with a leadoff walk and some singles, 1-0. In the 2nd, a two out walk was followed by a double and a single that plated two more runs, 3-0. In the bottom of that frame, the Tide got a leadoff double from Kali Heivilin. After a couple of outs, Salen Hawkins singled, but Kristen White was not about to rip an RBI double or anything. Alabama loaded the bases in the 3rd but still could not get on the scoreboard. Bama finally broke through in the 5th on a throwing error by MSU that scored an unearned run. But with two outs and runners at second and third, the Tide would score no more.

Riley relieved Briski in the top of 3rd and cruised through the 4th. However, it was home run derby time in the 5th. She gave up two solo bombs and the Gut® left her in the game.

In the 6th, Riley gave up three singles and a run before Murphy turned to… Hodges? The first batter she faced sent the ball over the left center field wall for a three run homer and a 9-1 Mississippi State advantage.

• Stolen Bases: Bama 0, MSU 1.
• Errors: 1 by Salen Hawkins

GAME 2: ALABAMA 7, MISS. STATE 4

Briski again got the start and again had a a tough time in the 1st inning. A single and a throwing error put the first batter of the game on second base. The next Bulldog singled in the first run of the game. Fortunately, Bama’s bats heated up and loaded the bases on singles in the bottom of the frame. A sac fly brought in one run and a two out Brooke Ellestad triple that ticked off the glove of a diving outfielder drove in two more runs for a 3-1 advantage.

Moving ahead to the top of 4th with two outs, a single and Ellestad’s second error of the day put two on base for Missy State. The next Lady Bulldog doubled in two to knot the score at 3-3. A single followed to make it 4-3.

Just like last Wednesday against MTSU, MSU head coach Samantha Ricketts pulled a Gut® move of her own by yanking her second best pitcher Delainey Everett without much provocation after three innings. Ricketts turned to a 5+ ERA reliever who gave the lead right back to the Tide as this poor young lady walked in two runs before she was hooked.

Briski’s day was over after walking the leadoff batter in the 5th. Alea Johnson entered and had a rocky go of it, but kept Bully off the scoreboard.

In the 6th, Bama got a little insurance as Audrey Vandagriff singled and Abby Duchscherer crushed a 2-run dinger to make it 7-4. [Note: Volume on the videos are a little high. You may want to lower the before playing.]

Alabama had three double plays in the game but added three more errors to the stack. Valentine came in to play third base for Ellestad in the 5th.

• Stolen Bases: Bama 0, MSU 2.
• Errors: 3 by Brooke Ellestad

GAME 3: MISS. STATE 4, ALABAMA 3 – Kali Heivilin Senior Day

Following a 1st inning Larissa Preuitt double, Kali Heivilin celebrated her Senior Day with an RBI single.

Surprisingly, Mary Elizabeth Emily Winstead got the start for Alabama in the circle. She was fine for the first two innings. In the 3rd, the wheels fell off. A single, a double and a walk loaded the bases for MSU, and that was enough for Murphy to pull her out of the game. Briski served up what should have been a ground out fielder’s choice at home plate but the umpire ruled that Marlie Giles’s foot was not on the plate, which is an error. In the same inning, a wild pitch scored a second run and an errant throw by Giles to home on the play scored a third.

Bama struck right back in the bottom of the frame when Brooke Ellestad doubled in two runs.

The score was stuck on 3-3 until the 6th inning when The Gut® made one of his classic moves: the ol’ intentional walk instead of trusting your pitcher. It is a great way to mess with a pitcher’s psyche and a move that has backfired more than it has worked for El Gutto Grande (patent pending). The next Bullie stroked a single into left field and gave her team the lead. And this was with two outs and a runner on first! smh

Alea Johnson came in and got the last out of the inning and pitched a perfect 7th.

Alabama could not retort and Mississippi State took the series.

• Stolen Bases: Bama 0, MSU 1.
• Errors: 2 by Giles, 1 by Ellestad.

NOTES

• QUESTION: Why is the run rule still utilized? The know-it-all’s will tell you that the run rule, also known as the mercy rule, is used for time purposes and some B.S. about preventing potential injuries. If that is the case, why not just make all games 5 innings? The truth is that “run rule” is a politically correct version of the original term, “mercy rule”. And that is exactly what it was – mercy on sorry-ass teams getting clobbered by a Power team. But as we have seen, softball has grown up a lot in the last decade+ and the playing fields have evened up a good bit. Most SEC teams are competent enough to erase an 8 run deficit in an inning or two. Perhaps it needs to be optional that both teams can agree to before a game is played. And perhaps not at all in SEC play. Other alternatives could be to move it up to ten runs. Or 10 runs after five innings, 9 after six, 8 after seven. Thoughts?
• Sierra Sacco is a damn fine softball player. On the weekend, the Bullies senior went 6 for 8 with 2 doubles, 5 runs, 2 RBI, 4 BB, and 2 stolen bases.
• Once again, Lauren Johnson rode the pine was the ONLY Crimson Tide player to not play in the three games. It is really going to suck when she transfers to Tennessee and becomes All-SEC.
• Alabama had seven errors in the series. The Crimson Tide leads the SEC in both double plays turned and errors. It could be argued that they are simultaneously the best and worst defensive team in the league.
• Zero stolen bases by the “Green Light Girls”. There was not even a single attempt. MSU had four swipes.
• Salen Hawkins had 1 single in 8 at bats with no runs or RBI.
• It may be time to bench Giles. I know she is team captain but her defense is lacking. Riley Valentine cannot hit as well as Giles but she is a better catcher. At least put her in late in games.

MVP

• HEIVILIN – 4 for 8 (.500), 1 run, 4 RBI, 2 DBL, 1 BB, 1 HBP
• ALEA JOHNSON – 4.1 innings, 1 hit allowed, 0 runs, 2 BB, 4 K (limited innings but did her job)

UPCOMING ALABAMA SCHEDULE

MIDWEEK ROAD TRIP

• Wednesday, Mar 19 vs Florida State 6pm/7pm Tuscaloosa, AL SECN (Chucky Kempf, Michele “Mumble Mouth” Smith)

SPRING BREAK SHOWDOWN

• Friday, Mar 21 at Texas A&M 6pm/7pm College Station, TX
• Saturday, Mar 22 at Texas A&M 4pm/5pm College Station, TX
• Sunday, Mar 23 at Texas A&M 1pm/2pm College Station, TX

HOW TO WATCH

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#RollTide #Team29