Alabama Softball Downs UAB, 8-4

The top-ranked Alabama softball team downed instate foe UAB, 8-4, Tuesday night in cold conditions at the UAB Softball Field. With the win, the Crimson Tide concludes its 11-game opening season road-trip with a perfect 11-0 record.

The Tide banged out eight hits and was led offensively by freshman Haylie McCleney who recorded her fifth three-hit game on the year. Senior Kaila Hunt batted 2-for-3 with her fifth home run of the season while junior Jackie Traina also had two hits and a home run.

Traina pitched all seven innings to get the win putting her at 6-0 on the season. She struck out nine and allowed four runs on five hits.

Alabama opened the scoring in a hurry in the first inning as Traina blasted a three-run home run that scored senior Kayla Braud and McCleney. The fleet-footed outfield duo started the game with back-to-back infield singles.

The Tide tacked on more in the third inning when junior Molly Fichtner drew a bases loaded walk that plated Hunt. Freshman Kallie Case then made it 5-0 when she was able to take home on a passed ball.

A grand slam by Anna Kimbrell of UAB in the fourth inning pulled the Blazers within one at 5-4. The home run was her fourth of the season.

Alabama quickly responded in the fifth inning when Hunt blasted her fifth home run of the season on the first pitch she saw in the at-bat to give the Tide a 6-4 cushion.

Alabama tacked on two more in the seventh to make it 8-4. Braud scored on a wild pitch then the Tide completed its scoring on the night when Traina tallied her fourth RBI on a single to left to score McCleney in the seventh.

Alabama will host the Easton Bama Bash Presented by Drash this upcoming weekend. The Crimson Tide will welcome Western Illinois, Iowa and Winthrop. A total of 10 games will be played this weekend at Rhoads Stadium with the Tide slated for five. UA will open tournament play on Friday, Feb. 22 against Western Illinois at 4 p.m. The game can be heard locally on 99.1 WDGM, 991wdgm.com and the Radio Pup application for Androids and Iphones.