re: Bama Softball 39-19 (10-14) (2023-24)

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It took 11 innings to decide a winner Friday night between Alabama and Auburn, with Kenleigh Cahalan coming through with the clutch two-run single in the top of the 11th to break the scoreless tie and push the Crimson Tide to the 2-0 win to even the weekend series.

Alabama (33-15, 10-13 SEC) and Auburn (26-18-1, 8-15 SEC) were locked in a scoreless pitcher's duel, with nobody moving past second base until the Tigers started to threaten in the bottom of the sixth. With runners at the corners and two out, the trailing runner was allowed to steal second to avoid the double steal and the batter was intentionally walked to load the bases. Kayla Beaver (16-8) entered to pitch in relief and struck out the batter on three pitches to get out of the jam and keep the game scoreless.

Kali Heivilin led off the top of the seventh with a walk and with a 2-0 count to Emma Broadfoot, game one winner Maddie Penta entered in relief for Auburn. Broadfoot drew a walk to put two on base and Riley Valentine ripped a single through the left side two batters later to load the bases with one out. A strikeout and lineout would squash the rally as the Crimson Tide failed to drive in a run. The Tigers couldn't walk it off in the bottom half as the two teams went to extras.

Alabama had two runners on base in the eighth, ninth and 10th innings but failed to break into the run column each time. Still 0-0 in the top of the 11th, Larissa Preuitt and Bailey Dowling were both in scoring position with two out and Cahalan pulled the second pitch of her at bat through the right side, driving in both runners on the single to give the Tide the first lead of the game at 2-0. Beaver shut the door in the bottom half, retiring the side in order to end the game.

From Head Coach Patrick Murphy
"That was a great example of bend but don't break. The pitching and defense were awesome. I just felt like [Kayla] Beaver was in control and we just needed one lucky bounce or a key hit to break it open and Kenleigh Cahalan came through. I'm really proud of everybody because that was a tough game. A competitive nature came out of everyone today. They were challenged in the dugout early and I felt like both of our pitchers were really good. They were locked in and the defense was great."

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