re: Bama Softball 45-22 (16-11) (2022-23)

Esman was my first thought for today going into the series but she was at first base yesterday. This morning I’m starting to think Jaala.

It seems to me we’ll need Montana in games 1 & 3 and pitch by committee in game 2 for most series since we only seem to be able to scratch out a few runs here and there.

Why in hades did he start Salter. And our hitters are not helping much as we have had opportunities at the plate and on the base paths,

Why start your weakest pitcher? Many batters shite the bed and we struck out bottom of 7 with 3 straight batters and bases loaded.

Kashmir summed it up beautifully - base running and fielding errors. Two girls thrown out at home plate, Bailey getting thrown out at second trying to squeeze a double out of a easy single. Outfielders colliding because no one calls ‘ball’. There’s more - those are the highlights. Embarrassing for the coaches and players. Especially costly in a season that is trending in a direction where conference wins may be hard to come by. Back at it tonight trying to win the series.

Missed Chances Haunt Alabama Softball in 5-3 Loss to Arkansas Sunday

The series rubber match is set for a 6 p.m. CT first pitch Monday on the SEC Network

Alabama softball had the bases loaded with nobody out trailing by two in the seventh inning Sunday night against Arkansas but a trio of strikeouts ended the comeback attempt as the Crimson Tide fell to the Razorbacks, 5-3, to even the weekend series.

Alabama (22-7, 1-1 SEC) threatened immediately against Arkansas (21-8, 2-3 SEC), loading the bases with one out in the first inning but could not push a run across. The Razorbacks responded in the next half-inning with an RBI double and a two-run single to take the early 3-0 lead. Arkansas loaded the bases with one out in the third but Lauren Esman, pitching in relief, got out of the jam unscathed to keep it a three-run game. The Crimson Tide got on the board in the bottom of the third with a pair of RBI singles to draw within a run, but Arkansas capitalized on a pair of Alabama errors in the fifth to score a pair and move back ahead by three. The score remained at 5-3 heading to the bottom of the seventh and Alabama looked to start a late rally, loading the bases with nobody out. A single from Emma Broadfoot moved everyone up 60 feet and made it a two-run game but three-straight strikeouts extinguished any comeback attempt.

Ashley Prange was 3-for-3 with two runs scored, tying her career high for hits. Bailey Dowling was 2-for-2 from the cleanup spot, including a double for the second-straight game.

From Head Coach Patrick Murphy
"I was really pleased with our pitchers, other than the freebies. All three of them pitched pretty effectively, but we just gave them too many walks. Offensively we just have to score more runs, simple as that. When we get bases loaded in the seventh with nobody out, we have to win the game. In the first inning, we had the bases loaded with one out and couldn't put it away. We got a strikeout and a popup. Maybe if we get a hit there and put a crooked number on the scoreboard, then Arkansas is playing on their heels and we're excited. Instead, they score in the top of the second and now we're on our heels. So, the exact opposite could have happened."

quote:

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From Head Coach Patrick Murphy "I was really pleased with our pitchers, other than the freebies. All three of them pitched pretty effectively, but we just gave them too many walks.

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so why is he pleased? Walks kill! SMH!

Bama up 1-0 on a fluke HR but Fouts is pithing deep to every batter and has had a number of base runners

In extra innings. Fouts still pitching. Around 130 pitches now.

What number pitch was that that Fouts gave up the go ahead HR?

Arkansas pitcher has 150 pitches now. But 1 on and 1 out.

7 losses already. Time for Murph to move on?