Alabama Crimson Tide Softball Offense Returns, But Pitching is Suspect

@AlabamaSB

So, do you want the good news or the bad news? The good news is the Crimson Tide finishes the Candrea Classic with four wins and one defeat. More good news is that the Bama offense got back on track on Sunday after a sluggish Saturday nightcap. The bad news is that pitching might be a problem.

FRIDAY GAME 1: ALABAMA 5, WASHINGTON 1

FRIDAY GAME 2: ALABAMA 6, MICHIGAN STATE 2

SATURDAY GAME 3: ALABAMA 7, WASHINGTON 3

SATURDAY GAME 4: ARIZONA 9, ALABAMA 1 (5 Inn)

SUNDAY GAME 5: ALABAMA 14, WESTERN MICHIGAN 5 (6 Innings Run Rule)

Bama Lineup:

1. LF Audrey Vandagriff L
2. RF Larissa Preuitt L
3. 3B Brooke Ellestad L
4. 1B Alexis Pupillo L
5. DH Marlie Giles R
6. C Riley Valentine R
7. 2B Kennedy Marceaux R – first start
8. SS Salen Hawkins R
9. CF Kristen White L

Coach Patrick Murphy finally wised up and put Audrey Vandagriff in the leadoff spot. The move paid immediate dividends as the freshman opened the game with a walk and a steal of second base. Larissa Preuitt followed that up with an RBI single and advanced to second on the throw home. Brooke Ellestad also singled and Preuitt came around to score on a throwing error.

It is always great to start a game with a scoring advantage but that lead quickly evaporated. Catelyn Riley got her third start in the circle of the weekend and she was roughed up for three first inning runs on three hits and retired one Broncos batter. Emily Winstead entered the game and put out the fire with two strikeouts.

In the second inning, Vandagriff again donned her cape with a 2 RBI single as the Tide retook the lead.

Vandagriff would then steal second AND third base. Just like in the previous inning, Preuitt would her in. Alexis Pupillo would hit an RBI double followed by a steal of third base and then score on an errant pickoff throw.

The bottom of the 3rd got off to a rocky start as Winstead hit the first WMU batter. A couple of singles would drive that run in. A second hit by pitch would load the bases and the Broncos tallied another run on a sac fly to make it an uncomfortable 7-5 lead for the Tide.

In a crucial 4th inning, it was again – GUESS WHO? – Vandagriff coming up big. No. 9 hitter Kristen White led off with a single and swiped second. Vandagriff would knock her in on a single. And as she has done all weekend, she proceeded to steal second base. She would score on a Preuitt double to give the Tide some breathing room at 9-5.

I swear I am not a stalker but once again it was Vandagriff who got the engine running in the 6th with … WAIT FOR IT … an infield single and a theft of second base. It was deja vu all over again when Preuitt double her teammate in to make it 10-3. Pre would score on an error and a few batters later, Kennedy Marceaux would tally up 3 RBI on her first home run as a college player.

Winstead (W, 1-0) retired the side in the bottom of the frame for the Run Rule victory.

NOTES

• Audrey Vandagriff recorded a school-record five stolen bases in one game. National stats are not out yet, but it has to be believed that she leads the nation with nine swipes on the young season.
• It is perplexing why Murphy did not start the season with Vandagriff at the top of the order to begin the season. She is the epitome of his softball philosophy of small ball, get ‘em on-get ’em over, get ‘em in.
• Preuitt may have had her best game as a Tide player. She was 4 for 4 with 4 RBI, 3 runs scored, and two doubles. More of that please. That one-two punch at the top of the order was dynamite.

• It was a bit curious to see Kennedy Marceaux only get one at bat in the first four games. The true freshman was one of the highest touted player of the most recent recruiting class. She made the most of her chance to play on Sunday with a 2 for 3 performance at the plate with the game’s only home run and some sparkling plays with her glove.
• Riley had nothing today. It seems to indicate that she might not be an everyday kind of pitcher. Winstead went 5.2 innings in relief with 6 Ks and no walks. She allowed two runs on four hits. Those are some decent stats, but the opponent was WMU (1-4). The Broncos are not exactly a good measuring stick.
• It is still early but Jocelyn Briski does not look like an elite Fouts/Beaver/Traina/Osorio/Dunne type No. 1 ace that Tide fans have gotten used to having. Briski is the best of the staff, but so far does not look like she can put the team on her back and soldier through some tough series. Riley is an okay No. 2, but is stamina an issue? Winstead is still an unknown until she faces an elite. Alea Johnson got rocked in her one appearance, though it was Arizona and it was a high-pressure situation. The freshman Braya Hodges is looking like a redshirt.
• Abby Duchscherer did not join the hit parade. She went hitless for the weekend. It’s Year 3. I hate to say it, but this experiment might be coming to an end.
• Alabama stole 21 bases in the 5 games.
• Six different Tide player hit four-baggers over the weekend.

WEEKEND MVPs

• VANDAGRIFF – 7 for 12 (.583), 6 RUNS, 6 RBI, 2 BB, 2 DBL, 9 SB
• PREUITT – 8 for 14 (.571), 7 RUNS, 5 RBI, 2 DBL, HR, 4 SB

UPCOMING ALABAMA SCHEDULE

It does not get any easier for Team29. There are no midweek games which is a good thing with the Tide heading to Clearwater, FL for the prestigious Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational. Four of the next five opponents made the post-season last year and two of them participated in the WCWS.

• Friday, Feb 14 vs San Diego State* 11am/noon SECN
• Friday, Feb 14 vs Liberty* 3:30/4:30 ESPN+
• Saturday, Feb 15 vs Ohio State 9am/10am ESPN+
• Saturday, Feb 15 vs UCLA** 3pm/4pm ESPNU
• Sunday, Feb 16 vs Oklahoma State** 5pm/6pm ESPN

* 2024 Post-season
** 2024 WCWS

POLL: Head over to yesterday’s wrap-up and vote there.

#RollTide #Team29