re: Bama Softball 32-14 (9-12) (2023-24)

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Down three runs in the top of the seventh inning, Alabama brought the potential tying run to the plate but the late comeback attempt ultimately fell short as Kentucky held on for the 6-3 win Thursday night to start the weekend series.

Both teams stranded the bases loaded in the first inning before Alabama (25-7, 2-5 SEC) got on the board in the top of the second courtesy of a passed ball. Another passed ball and a pair of bases-loaded walks in the bottom half of the inning gave Kentucky (22-11, 1-6 SEC) a 3-1 lead and the Wildcats added three more in the fifth to swell the advantage to 6-1.

In the top of the sixth, Marlie Giles and Emma Broadfoot led off the inning with back-to-back home runs to draw back within three. Kentucky went down in order in the bottom of the sixth, keeping the deficit at three runs for Alabama in the top of the seventh. Kenleigh Cahalan reached on an error to start the frame, advanced to second on a groundout and third on a wild pitch. A groundout went for out number two and kept Cahalan at third before Giles drew a walk, bringing the potential tying run to the plate. A 12-pitch at bat ended in a strikeout as the comeback effort fell short.

Giles and Broadfoot's home runs are their fourth and second of the season, respectively, and Lauren Johnson reached base in all three plate appearances with two walks and a hit-by-pitch. Kayla Beaver (10-3) took the loss in the circle, exiting after 1.2 innings, while Jocelyn Briski threw 4.1 relief innings behind her with three runs, one earned, allowed on two hits.

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I hope we keep losing. It's the only way we move on from Murphy.

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A trio of home runs helped push Alabama softball to a 9-4 win over Kentucky Friday night, evening the weekend series heading into game three on Saturday.

After two scoreless innings, Alabama (26-7, 3-5 SEC) took the first lead over Kentucky (22-12, 1-7 SEC) with a solo home run from Kali Heivilin and a sac fly RBI from Jenna Johnson later in the inning made it a 2-0 game. A solo home run from Marlie Giles in the fourth and an RBI double from Kenleigh Cahalan in the fifth doubled the lead to 4-0. With two out in the bottom of the fifth, a hit-by-pitch and walk extended the inning and Erin Coffel capitalized with a three-run home run to draw back within one, down 4-3.

With one out in the top of the sixth, a walk, hit-by-pitch and single loaded the bases for the Tide and pinch hitter Lauren Johnson came through with a single to drive in two, making it 6-3. Her older sister Jenna followed that up in the next at-bat with a three-run home run down the left field line to swell the lead to 9-3. The Wildcats got a run back in the bottom of the sixth with a sac fly RBI and started the bottom of the seventh with a walk and an error to put two in scoring position with nobody out. The Alabama defense and relief pitcher Alea Johnson buckled down, inducing a groundout, popup and strikeout to strand the runners and end the game.

The Tide's nine runs came on 11 hits, including three from Cahalan, which ties her career high for hits. Heivilin was 2-for-3 with two runs scored including her fifth home run of the season. Giles hit her second home run of the weekend, marking the second time this season she's homered in back-to-back games. Jenna Johnson's three-run homer was her fourth of the year and her four RBIs ties her previous career high set against Miami Ohio on March 6, 2022. After taking the loss in the circle yesterday, Kayla Beaver (11-3) bounced back with a win Friday over 6.0 innings pitched with Alea Johnson closing it out with a shutout seventh inning in relief.

From Head Coach Patrick Murphy
"It was awesome to come back today with a performance like that after last night's performance. I'm really proud of the team. Offensively, one through nine had four at-bats each which means that they're getting on base, which is great. Lauren Johnson came through with a big pinch hit and her older sister [Jenna] came through even bigger behind her. Getting 11 hits on the road against a good SEC team isn't easy. We needed that. To keep the momentum going tomorrow, we need a good start in the circle and continue to pass the bats down offensively."

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After rain postponed the originally scheduled matchup on Feb. 28, Alabama will head to Jacksonville State this Tuesday, April 2 to face the Gamecocks at 6 p.m. CT.

This Week: Alabama (26-8) at Jacksonville State (14-21)
Tuesday, April 2 – 6 p.m. CT
Jacksonville, Ala. – Jana McGinnis Field
Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: The Crimson Tide Sports Network at 97.5 FM in Tuscaloosa | nick975.com | Varsity App

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Alabama Softball@AlabamaSB·3h
Due to the threat of severe weather, tonight's game at Jacksonville State has been cancelled. Everyone stay safe tonight!

Alabama is back in action this weekend in Tuscaloosa against Ole Miss

#Team28 #RollTide

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Alabama won the national title in softball the next year.

Careful what you wish for.

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