Alabama Beats Florida In Game Two To Clinch Series

Alabama softball needed extra innings to win its second straight game against Florida in Gainesville, 2-1, clinching the season series.

Junior Lexi Kilfoyl got her first start on the mound on Sunday since pitching a perfect game last week, and put up another solid performance, recording seven hits, one run, and seven strikeouts as she improved to 8-2 as a starter.

Though No. 4 Alabama (33-5, 10-4) ended up winning the game, the Crimson Tide had to rely much more on their strong defense and pitching than they are used to this season as Florida's pitcher, Lexi Delbrey, ended up throwing a no hitter through the first five innings. Ashley Prange broke up the no hitter in the sixth inning with a two-out triple to right center field. Her hit was soon rewarded as after Ally Shipman walked, Bailey Dowling doubled and sent Prange home, giving Alabama the 1-0 lead.

No. 6 Florida (31-8, 7-7) proved to be a tough opponent though, as they immediately responded to Alabama's score with a home run by Skylar Wallace in the bottom of the sixth, evening up the score 1-1.

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The score was still tied at 1-1 after regulation, forcing the game to go into extra innings. Dowling ended up playing hero for the Tide again as she homered in the top of the ninth off of Florida pitcher Natalie Lugo, who replaced Delbrey in the seventh inning, giving Alabama the 2-1 lead.

After Kilfoyl gave up a leadoff single in the bottom of the ninth with zero outs, senior Montana Fouts was brought in for relief. In her relief effort, she was successful in closing out the Gators as Florida sac bunted to move their runner to second base, but then popped up and grounded out to end the game.

Alabama will play Florida in the series finale on Monday, April 11, at 6 p.m. CT. The game will be aired on the SEC Network and can be heard on the radio by tuning into Me TV 97.5 FM or downloading the Me TV FM 97.5 App.