re: Bama Softball 39-20 (10-14) (2023-24)

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Alabama softball avoided the series sweep with a 3-0 shutout over Florida Monday night at Rhoads Stadium.

After posting a combined four hits in the first two games, Alabama (20-3, 1-2 SEC) scored three runs on eight hits in Monday's finale while holding the Florida (21-4, 2-1 SEC) offense scoreless on five hits, all of which were singles. Marlie Giles drove in the first run of the game on an RBI single, part of a 2-for-2 day at the plate while fellow sophomore Kenleigh Cahalan also posted a two-hit game batting eighth. Bailey Dowling started the fourth inning with a solo home run, her second long ball of the season. In the circle, Kayla Beaver (8-1) threw the complete-game shutout, just the second shutout loss this season for the Gators and her sixth complete-game effort of the year.

From Head Coach Patrick Murphy
"You have to have short term memory when it comes to softball. If you let setbacks or losses linger, that's never good. I've had to learn that the hard way over my coaching career. If I don't get over it, the players won't get over it. You just have to start fresh. I think our group realizes that the game against Alabama is circled on everyone's calendar. It doesn't matter who they are. We have to bring our best every single game because we're getting everybody else's best. [Kayla] Beaver pitched great tonight and I think a lot of people overlook her defense. She has been terrific defensively, especially tonight."

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