In its first ranked matchup of the season, No. 10 Alabama came out victorious over No. 19 Arizona, 2-1, Friday night under the lights at Rhoads Stadium
rolltide.com
Kayla Beaver throws 6.0 innings for the win in the circle, Alea Johnson gets the save
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ā In its first ranked matchup of the season, No. 10 Alabama came out victorious over No. 19 Arizona, 2-1, Friday night under the lights at Rhoads Stadium.
Alabama (18-0) took the first lead of the game with a first inning two-run home run from
Abby Duchscherer before Arizona (16-2) got on the board in the next half-inning with a solo homer. The Tide loaded the bases in the third inning but could not add to its lead and the Wildcats left a combined four runners on base through the sixth inning, as a solid start from
Kayla Beaver (7-0) and lockdown defense in the field kept the score at 2-1 heading to the seventh. Sophomore
Alea Johnson entered in the save situation, striking out the first batter before a fielding error allowed the potential tying run to reach second base with one out. A strikeout went for out number two and a groundout was called out, reviewed and upheld as Alabama held on for the one-run win.
Duchscherer's home run was part of a 2-for-3 day at the plate, increasing her team-leading hit total to 24 and marking her sixth multi-hit game of the season.
Jenna Johnson led off the game with a walk, extending her reached-base streak to a career-best 14 games. After throwing a complete-game shutout on Thursday, Beaver threw 6.0 innings to get the win on Friday, allowing just one run on four hits.
Alea Johnson struck out a pair and stranded the potential tying run in scoring position in the seventh, earning her second save of the season.
"
Alea Johnson has ice in her veins. That seventh inning was incredible to see, but we can't give a good team extra outs at any time, especially not in the seventh inning of a one-run game. I thought our defense on the infield was outstanding.
Bailey Dowling made several really good plays against some of the fastest players in the country and
Kayla Beaver was even better today than she was yesterday. Offensively, we left too many runners on base, but
Abby Duchscherer's home run was an absolute moonshot."