| BSB/SB Alabama goes 2-3 for the weekend at the Husky Classic

[UA Press Release]

THIS WEEK: HUSKY CLASSIC
Seattle, Wash. – Husky Softball Stadium
Friday, March 2

• vs. BYU (6-9) – 1:15 p.m. CT
• at #1/1 Washington (18-0) – 5:45 p.m. CT

Saturday, March 3

• vs. Portland State (2-7) – 4:45 p.m. CT
• at #1/1 Washington (18-0) – 7 p.m. CT

Sunday, March 4

• vs. Northwestern (7-6) – 1:15 p.m. CT

SCOUTING ALABAMA

• Alabama is 10-2 heading into week four after a 3-1 weekend at the Easton Bama Bash, defeating Georgia State and Northern Iowa while splitting a pair of games against ninth-ranked Florida State, along with a 4-0 midweek win over UAB Tuesday.
• The Tide is now 2-2 this season facing ranked teams. In each game, Alabama has held the opposing team to three or fewer runs.
• The Crimson Tide is hitting .329 as a team, which ranks fourth in the SEC. Its .516 slugging percentage ranks third and its .435 on-base percentage ranks fourth. Alabama is one of five SEC teams with a team ERA under 1.00 and has allowed the fewest earned runs (9) and total runs (11) and second-fewest hits (43). On defense, Alabama leads the league with a .985 fielding percentage.
• Alabama is ranked No. 11 in both national polls this week. Alabama has played four games against ranked opponents so far this season with two more due up this weekend against top-ranked Washington.

LAST TIME OUT: EASTON BAMA BASH / AT UAB

• Alabama went 3-1 last weekend in its home debut at the Easton Bama Bash. The Tide earned two wins on Friday, defeating Georgia State, 5-1, and ninth-ranked Florida State, 3-0. On Saturday, Alabama split its two games with an 11-3 win over Northern Iowa and a 3-1 loss to the Seminoles. Sunday's scheduled game against Georgia State was canceled due to inclement weather.
• Alabama softball posted its sixth shutout of the season on the road Tuesday night, defeating UAB 4-0 at Mary Bowers Field. Six of the nine players in the starting lineup for Alabama earned a hit, including a 2-for-3 performance from freshman KB Sides with an RBI single. Freshman Kaylee Tow's lone hit was a solo home run, her third long ball of the season, with additional RBIs coming off the bats of sophomore Bailey Hemphilland junior Merris Schroder. UAB was limited to just four hits, with junior Courtney Gettins tossing 5.0 shutout innings in the start and senior Alexis Osorio earning her first save of the season, striking out six batters over 2.0 innings in relief.

MURPHY THREE WINS AWAY FROM 1,000 AT ALABAMA
Head Coach Patrick Murphy, currently in his 20th season at the helm of the Crimson Tide, is just three wins away from his 1,000th as Alabama's head coach, boasting a 997-275 record. A handful of SEC coaches, including Murphy, have 1,000 career wins between multiple head coaching stops but no coach has earned 1,000 wins entirely at an SEC institution. Last season, Murphy earned his 1,000th career victory as a head coach, including his time at Alabama and Northwest Missouri State, to become the 23rd coach in Division-I softball history to reach 1,000 wins.

OSORIO NAMED SEC CO-PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Senior pitcher Alexis Osorio's complete-game shutout over ninth-ranked Florida State helped the Riverside, Calif., native capture Co-Pitcher of the Week honors from the Southeastern Conference, it was announced Monday.

This week's award is the first this season for Osorio and the fifth of her career. Overall, Alabama has won SEC Pitcher of the Week 38 times in program history.

Osorio pitched just one game this week but made the most of her lone start, throwing a complete-game shutout over ninth-ranked Florida State Friday night in Tuscaloosa. It was just the second time the Seminoles have been shut out this season and the most times they had been struck out, as Osorio fanned a season-high 10 batters. Only two of Florida State's seven baserunners in the game made it to scoring position.

The 3-0 win improved Osorio's season record to 3-1, owning a 0.56 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 25.0 innings pitched. The game pushed her career strikeout total to 866 as she continues to charge towards the 1,000-strikeout milestone at Alabama.

BROWN AMONG TIDE ELITE IN STOLEN BASES
Sophomore Elissa Brown stole three bases in Saturday's game against Florida State, the second game of her career with three stolen bases. She is just the sixth player in program history to have three or more stolen bases in multiple career games.

Career Games With 3+ Stolen Bases

1. Kayla Braud (2010-13): 11
2. Brittany Rogers (2006-09): 7
3. Jennifer Fenton (2009-12): 5
4. Kelly Kretschman (1998-2001): 5
5. Haylie McCleney (2013-16): 3
6. Elissa Brown (2017-pres.): 2

MORGAN TIES SINGLE-GAME ASSISTS RECORD
Freshman Maddie Morgan got plenty of glove work in Friday's win over Georgia State, fielding nine assists at second base. This ties the single-game school record originally set by Staci Ramsey in 2003.

Single-Game Assists at Alabama

1. Maddie Morgan vs. Georgia State (2/23/18): 9
2. Staci Ramsey at South Carolina (4/19/03): 9
3. Kelley Montalvo vs. Memphis (2/7/09): 8
4. Kelly Kretschman at Ole Miss (4/9/99): 8
5. Kelly Kretschman vs. LSU (5/9/98): 8
6. Christy Kyle at Arkansas (3/15/97): 8

OSORIO APPROACHING 1,000 CAREER STRIKEOUTS
Senior Alexis Osorio is approaching a rare milestone at Alabama, as she is just 134 strikeouts away from the 1,000th of her career. She would be just the fourth player in program history to hit the 1,000 strikeout mark and the first since Kelsi Dunne (2008-11). Currently she sits at fifth all-time at Alabama, just 110 away from passing Jaclyn Traina (2011-14).

Alabama Career Strikeout Leaders

1. Kelsi Dunne (2008-11): 1,219
2. Stephanie VanBrakle (2003-06): 1,113
3. Shelley Laird (1999-2002): 1,045
4. Jaclyn Traina (2011-14): 976
5. Alexis Osorio (2015-pres.): 872

UP NEXT
Alabama returns home for its final non-conference weekend, hosting the Easton Crimson Classic March 9-11. There, the Tide will face Boston College and Fordham twice before finishing the weekend with a single game against Samford.

 

[UA Press Release]

Alabama Softball Rallies to Defeat BYU, Falls to Top-Ranked Washington Friday in Seattle

SEATTLE, Wash. – Alabama softball rallied for a hard-fought comeback victory over BYU to open Friday play at the Husky Classic before falling in five innings to tournament host and top-ranked Washington, 8-0.

In the first game of the day, Alabama (11-3) trailed BYU (7-10) by four runs halfway through the game, its largest deficit to that point in the season. The Crimson Tide rallied with a four-run fifth inning, tying it at 7-7 on a grand slam from sophomore Bailey Hemphill, before a walk-off RBI single from freshman Kaylee Tow in extra innings capped the 8-7 comeback victory. Hemphill was one of three Tide players with multi-hit efforts, with sophomore Elissa Brown going 2-for-3 from the leadoff spot and junior Merris Schroder batting 2-for-4 in the nine-hole. Junior Courtney Gettins (5-0) earned the win in relief, throwing 6.0 innings with three runs allowed, two earned.

In the second game of the day against top-ranked Washington (19-0) the Huskies got off to a fast start, scoring seven runs over the first two innings and capping the run-rule victory with a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Tide mustered just two hits in the losing effort, coming off the bats of Hemphill and sophomore Gabby Callaway.

GAME ONE: ALABAMA 7, BYU 6 (8 INNINGS)
With two on and one out in the top of the first, BYU put the first run of the day on the board with an RBI single. A pair of groundouts ended the inning and limited the damage to just one run. Alabama put two on base in the bottom half of the inning but could not bring either across as it remained a one-run game. In the bottom of the second with two out and two in scoring position, sophomore Elissa Brown pulled a single through the right side to score junior Caroline Hardy from third and tie it at 1-1.

In the top of the third, BYU started the inning with a single and double to quickly put two in scoring position. Following an infield single to load the bases, an errant throw allowed the runner at third to come home and give the Cougars a 2-1 lead. That ended freshman Madison Preston's outing in the circle as junior Courtney Gettins entered in relief with two in scoring position and nobody out. The first pitch of the next at-bat was lifted to right field for out number one, allowing the runner at third to tag up and score on the sacrifice fly with the score now 3-1.

With two on and one out in the top of the fourth, Brown charged at a single to shallow center and turned it into a fielder's choice, making the quick throw to second for a force out. An intentional walk loaded the bases and BYU's Alexa Strid tacked on two more with a two-run single to center, making it 5-1 before a popup ended the inning.

Junior Merris Schroder led off the bottom of the fifth with a single through the right side, turning it over the top of the order and Brown followed with another single to put runners at first and second with nobody out. A walk to Tow loaded the bases. Following a strikeout, Hemphill brought everyone home with a towering grand slam to left field, tying the game up at 5-5.

The score remained the same heading to the bottom of the seventh inning. Hemphill started the inning with a leadoff walk and senior Rachel Bobo entered to pinch run, advancing to second on a wild pitch and third on a sacrifice bunt. A lineout and strikeout would keep her stranded 60 feet away as the Tide could not win it in regulation, forcing extra innings for the first time this season.

With the international tie-breaker in effect, BYU had a runner placed on second base to start the inning. She was sacrificed to third and then came home on a sacrifice fly to put the Cougars ahead, 6-5. In the bottom-half of the inning, the BYU first baseman could not handle the ground ball and the error allowed sophomore Claire Jenkins to come home all the way from second and tie it up at 6-6. Later with a runner at second and two out, Tow knocked a single back up the middle to drive in the game-winning run as Alabama completed the comeback victory, 7-6.

GAME TWO: WASHINGTON 8, ALABAMA 0 (5 INNINGS)
Washington led off the bottom of the first with a single before a force out and strikeout quickly put two outs on the board. Husky cleanup hitter Julia DePonte put the home team in the run column with a two-run home run to center field. Washington kept the inning going with a double and single to put runners at the corners. On a double steal attempt, the ball got away from the Alabama infield and allowed the runner at third to score on the error and put the Huskies up 3-0 before a groundout ended the inning.

Looking to answer right back, Alabama led off the top of the second with a single by Callaway and walk to senior Peyton Grantham and the pair each moved up 60 feet on a wild pitch to put two in scoring position with nobody out. The Tide could not capitalize on the big early opportunity however, as UW starter Gabby Plain retired three straight to end the inning with the score still 3-0.

Washington added some cushion in the bottom of the second with a two-run double from Sis Bates and two-run single from Kirstyn Thomas to stretch the lead to 7-0 with nobody out in the inning. The Huskies brought nine batters to the plate in the inning, ultimately taking a seven-run lead to the third inning.

The Huskies would load the bases again in the third inning with one out, but a strikeout and groundout would get the Tide out of the inning unscathed. In the bottom of the fourth, the leadoff batter was hit by a pitch and that ended senior Alexis Osorio's outing in the circle as Preston stepped into the circle. The left-handed pitcher got Alabama out of the inning with a groundout and back-to-back strikeouts as the score remained 7-0.

With two away in the bottom of the fifth, Bates concluded the run-rule victory for the Huskies with a solo home run, bringing the final score to 8-0.

Alabama continues play at the Husky Classic tomorrow, facing Portland State (4:45 p.m. CT) and Washington (7 p.m. CT).

Alabama Softball Rallies to Defeat BYU, Falls to Top-Ranked Washington Friday in Seattle - Alabama Athletics

 

[UA Press Release]

Alabama Softball Splits Saturday Games in Seattle

SEATTLE, Wash. – Alabama softball opened day two at the Husky Classic with a 3-0 win over Portland State but fell in a tightly-contested 4-1 loss to top-ranked Washington.

Alabama (12-4) opened the day with a 3-0 win over Portland State (2-11), scoring its first run of the day on an RBI single from sophomore Gabby Callaway and back-to-back solo home runs from freshman Kaylee Towand sophomore Bailey Hemphill tacked on the final two runs of the day for the Tide in the three-run win. Freshman Madison Preston (4-1) threw 4.1 shutout innings for the win while senior Alexis Osorio struck out six of the 10 batters she faced in relief for her second save of the season.

In the nightcap against Washington (21-0), the Tide and Huskies were locked in a pitcher's duel for the majority of the game. Washington scored two unanswered runs before Alabama responded with one in the sixth, but two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth proved enough in the 4-1 decision. Junior Courtney Gettins (5-1) went the distance in the circle, taking her first loss of the season. Tow posted a multi-hit effort in the loss, going 2-for-3 at the plate and driving in Alabama's lone run on an RBI double.

GAME ONE: ALABAMA 3, PORTLAND STATE 0
With two on base and two out in the bottom of the first inning, junior Caroline Hardy nearly put the Tide in the run column with a long fly ball to left but it fell on the warning track just shy of home-run distance for the final out of the inning. Portland State stranded two on base in both the second and third innings but could not score as it remained 0-0.

In the bottom of the third with two out, Hemphill launched a fly ball to the gap in left-center and the Portland State left fielder looked to corral it on the warning track but she dropped the ball. The two-base error kept the inning alive for Callaway, who pulled a single through the right side to score Hemphill on the unearned run and give Alabama a 1-0 lead.

The Vikings put two on base in the top of the fifth courtesy of a walk and hit-by-pitch and the Tide turned to its bullpen as Osorio entered in the save situation. Osorio struck out the first batter she faced and a fly ball ended the half-inning to preserve the one-run lead. Alabama tripled its lead in the bottom-half of the inning with back-to-back solo home runs from Tow and Hemphill to make it 3-0.

Osorio closed the door for Alabama in the sixth and seventh innings, keeping the Vikings off the scoreboard to earn her second save of the year and clinch the 3-0 win for the Tide.

GAME TWO: WASHINGTON 4, ALABAMA 1
Washington quickly threatened in the bottom of the first, leading off the inning with back-to-back hits and a walk to load the bases. A line drive to right field allowed the runner at third to tag up and score on the sacrifice fly and another walk in the next at-bat loaded the bases yet again. Senior Sydney Booker limited the damage and got the Tide out of the inning with a heads-up double play, fielding a popup up the middle before backhanding it to senior Demi Turner at second to catch the Husky runner off the bag.

In the top of the third, a Washington fielding error allowed senior Rachel Bobo to reach base safely and turn in to the top of the order. Some defensive miscommunication on a ground ball allowed Bobo to slide under the tag attempt at second with two now on base and a groundout moved the pair into scoring position. Hemphill nearly emptied the bases in her at-bat, sending a long fly ball to left field but Washington's Julia DePonte caught it with her back against the wall to end the inning and maintain the Huskies' 1-0 lead.

With the score the same in the top of the fifth inning, Washington made a pitching change with junior Taran Alvelo now toeing the rubber, who retired the Tide in order in the half-inning. In the bottom-half of the inning, a walk, stolen base and bunt single quickly put runners at the corners with nobody out. Following a strikeout, a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases. Sis Bates dropped a single into shallow right, scoring one to make it 2-0 but the trailing runner was tagged out at home trying to score for out number two. A lineout to center field ended the inning and limited the damage to just one run as Alabama now faced a two-run deficit.

Turner tallied Alabama's second hit of the day in the top of the sixth, a one-out single through the left side. Hemphill followed with a walk and Tow cut the deficit to one with an RBI double off the foul pole in left field, putting two in scoring position with the score now 2-1. After a strikeout, the Huskies intentionally walked senior Peyton Granthamto load the bases and Alevelo got out of danger with a strikeout to end the inning and strand the bases loaded.

Looking to add some insurance to its 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth, the first two Washington batters reached base safely and moved up 60 feet on a sacrifice bunt. A throw home on a ground ball looked to be in time to get the runner out but the home plate ump called obstruction as the run counted to increase the lead to 3-1. An RBI single in the next at-bat made it 4-1 before a strikeout and groundout ended the inning. Alabama would put a runner on base in the top of the seventh but could not cut into the deficit as Washington held on for the 4-1 win.

Alabama concludes its weekend at the Husky Classic Sunday against Northwestern (9-8) at Noon CT.

Alabama Softball Splits Saturday Games in Seattle - Alabama Athletics

 

[UA Press Release]

Alabama Softball Falls to Northwestern Sunday in Weekend Finale

SEATTLE, Wash. – Alabama softball closed its weekend at the Husky Classic Sunday against Northwestern, falling 4-0 to the Wildcats.

Alabama (12-5) tallied just three hits against Northwestern (10-8), while two key swings in the fourth inning, an RBI single and three-run home run, gave the Wildcats all the offense it would need. Alexis Osorio (3-3) tied a season high with 10 strikeouts but took the loss in the complete-game effort.

After the first seven runners failed to reach base, Northwestern tallied its first hit of the day with one out in the third inning. Later with two outs in the inning, back-to-back singles scored the first run of the game before a three-run home run quickly swelled the Wildcats' lead to 4-0. With the score the same in the bottom of the fifth, Northwestern loaded the bases with two out but a lineout to sophomore Elissa Brown in shallow center ended the threat.

Alabama looked to string something together in the top of the sixth, drawing back-to-back walks with one out in the inning but a strikeout and lineout ended the rally attempt. The deficit remained the same in the top of the seventh but the Tide went down in order to drop to the 4-0 decision.

Next weekend, Alabama returns home for its final non-conference weekend, hosting the Easton Crimson Classic on March 9-11. There, the Tide will face Boston College and Fordham twice before finishing the weekend with a single game against Samford.

Alabama Softball Falls to Northwestern Sunday in Weekend Finale - Alabama Athletics