Alabama Softball Recap: Crimson Tide Wins Third Straight SEC Series

After taking five days off from completion, No. 9 Alabama claimed their third straight SEC series by winning two of three games over South Carolina.

Coming from Behind

Alabama had to climb their way out of a hold as South Carolina struck first in all three games of the series.

In game one Friday night, Kaylea Snaer launched a leadoff home run over the left center field in the top of the first inning. The Crimson Tide responded with seven runs over their next three at bats. The biggest sequence in the game came in the bottom of the second as Gamecocks outfielder Kennedy Clark and shortstop Krystan White crashed into each other in the outfielder causing a dropped fly ball and allowing two runs to score. Peyton Grantham’s RBI single and Mari Cranek bases loaded walk capped a four-run second inning. Alabama added two more runs in the third thanks to a Bailey Hemphill RBI single and a sacrifice fly from Marisa Runyon en route to a 7-3 victory.

South Carolina pounded Alabama in game two of the series Sunday 14-0. Gamecocks designated player Alyssa VanDerveer drove in the first four runs of the game on a two-run homer in the top of the second inning and a two-run single in the top of the fifth inning. Starting pitcher Nickie Blue stifled the Crimson Tide with a complete game two-hit shutout. Demi Turner’s two hits were the only hits in the game.

In the series finale, Kaylea Snaer and Mackenzie Boesel each hit RBI doubles to put South Carolina ahead 2-0. Alabama answered by scoring the final five runs of the game for a 5-2 win. Reagan Dykes, Demi Turner and Gabby Callaway each recorded an RBI in the win. In addition to her RBI, Callaway finished the series with her best game in an Alabama uniform going 3-3 with a double.

Kent State

Alabama concludes the home stand with a Tuesday night contest against Kent State. The game marks the first ever meeting between Alabama and Kent State.

Kent State finished last season with the best regular season record in the MAC but have a 10-15 overall record coming into their clash with Alabama. The Golden Flashes recently lost seven games in a row but steadied the ship by winning two in a row at Eastern Michigan to claim their first MAC series of the season.

The Golden Flashes have struggled offensively as they rank last in the MAC in batting average (.225) and 8^th in the conference in runs scored (105). Despite the team’s struggles, senior Maddy Grimm has maintained her status as one of the MAC’s top sluggers. Grimm is second in the conference with 30 RBIs and tied for third in the conference with seven round trippers.

1,000 Wins

By winning two games against South Carolina, Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy needs one win to reach 1,000 career wins. Murphy is 999-279 in his coaching career including a 971-259 record at Alabama.

First pitch for Tuesday’s game is at 6 PM.

College softball around Alabama

Auburn salvaged one of three games in Gainesville with a 1-0 win Monday night at Florida. Kendall Veach provided the only run in the series finale with a solo home run in the top of the 2^nd inning.

South Alabama and Troy University got swept in Sun Belt Conference series over the weekend. South Alabama dropped three games at home to Louisiana-Lafayette while Troy University lost all three games this past weekend at Coastal Carolina with each of the three losses being decided by one run. The two teams will resume the series with a doubleheader May 7 in Troy.

Jacksonville State went 3-1 in their opening OVC weekend. The Gamecocks split two games on Saturday against UT-Martin while sweeping a doubleheader Sunday against Southeast Missouri. JSU remains at home over the next two games as they host Alabama State on Tuesday and Ole Miss on Wednesday.

UAB lost three games during the College Preview Tournament in Oklahoma. The Blazers lost 8-0 in six innings to Mississippi State and 5-2 to Oklahoma in Oklahoma City on Saturday. The short trip to Norman, Oklahoma, was not any kinder to UAB as Oklahoma thumped UAB 15-0 in five innings on Sunday.

Samford lost two of three games in their opening SoCon series of the season. Abby Sweeney hit a two-out grand slam in game two to provide the Bulldogs with their only win of the weekend. Samford returns to action Wednesday with a home contest against Kennesaw State.