re: Bama Softball 38-18 (10-14) (2023-24)

quote:

---

Alabama softball capped an undefeated weekend at the Buzz Classic with a 7-2 win over Longwood and a clutch finish to earn a 5-1 win over tournament host Georgia Tech.

Alabama (5-0) opened the day with a 7-2 win over Longwood (1-3), including a 3-for-4 day from Abby Duchscherer at the plate with a career-best four RBIs, and multi-hit games from Kenleigh Cahalan, Bailey Dowling and Lauren Johnson. In the second game against Georgia Tech (1-3), the Tide led 2-0 and held the Yellow Jackets hitless until a sixth-inning single. Alabama added some insurance in the top of the seventh on a bases-loaded wild pitch and a two-run single from Lauren Esman to make it 5-0 heading to the bottom half.

Georgia Tech loaded the bases with nobody out and sent a deep fly ball to right field. Larissa Preuitt made a jumping catch at the wall and threw it back in, as the Tide defense tagged up the runners at second and third for what was originally called a game-ending triple play. Upon further review, the catch and out at second were upheld but the runner at third was ruled to have tagged up successfully and scored on a sacrifice fly to make it 5-1. Now, with a runner on first and two out, Kayla Beaver (2-0) shut the door with her seventh strikeout of the game to seal the win.

Cahalan led the offense on Saturday, hitting a combined 5-for-8 on the day with three runs scored and two RBIs. Duchscherer had three hits against Longwood and another against Georgia Tech, giving her at least one hit in all five games this season. Jocelyn Briski (2-0) earned the win in relief in the opener against the Lancers, while Beaver took home the complete-game victory over the Yellow Jackets.

---