Alabama Softball Run-Rules Alabama State 9-0 in Regional Play

Alabama softball opened up its NCAA Regional with a 9-0 win against Alabama State University. Starting pitcher, Lexi Kilfoyl, held it down in the circle for Alabama. A pair of two-run home runs helped the Crimson Tide reach the shutout in six innings.

“I thought our team defense did well. Obviously they didn’t field a lot of balls but they were in every inch,” head coach Patrick Murphy said. “Offensively, up and down the lineup, it was basically everybody [that]… got a hit, got an RBI or scored a run, so it’s a fun opening night.”

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The sophomore, Kilfoyl, showed up and showed out for her first NCAA Tournament start.

“It felt really good to get back out there,” Kilfoyl said. “The fans were absolutely amazing and my teammates had my back the whole time… off the field everyone was talking to me and motivating me and just reminded me how good I am.”

She struck out every batter in the Hornet lineup and started every inning with a strikeout.

Kilfoyl tossed a total of 15 strikeouts to reach a new career high in strikeouts. Her previous was 10.

“I just went out there and was thinking one pitch at a time and just spin all my pitches,” Kilfoyl said. “[I] let [the pitches] do their work just like I know how.”

Kilfoyl pitched 5.1 innings before Krystal Goodman took over in the circle. Together they threw the fifth no-hitter in Alabama softball postseason history.

Not only was Alabama’s defense solid, it only gave up one error to allow a Hornet reach base.

The offense also came together to run-rule Alabama State in six innings.

The Crimson Tide got on the scoreboard early in the first inning. After Bailey Hemphill got on base, Kaylee Tow doubled to left field to send Hemphill home.

In the third inning designated player, Jenna Johnson, was battling Alabama State’s pitcher Skyler Sullivan. She saw eight pitches and fouled off five of them. After fouling off two in a row, she sent a ball over the wall for a two-run home.

Johnson's home run was her first of the season.

The scoring continued in the third inning for the Crimson Tide when Savannah Woodard hit a triple to the right field wall. This sent KB Sides across the plate.

Alabama led 6-0 after the fourth inning.

Alabama State threw a three-up-three-down inning to keep Alabama from scoring in the fifth.

In the sixth inning, the nine-hole hitter, Brown, reached base safely. She stole second and reached third on a throwing error.

Alexis Mack singled and Brown scored from third.

With no outs and one on, Hemphill was up to bat for Alabama.

Hemphill saw just three pitches and on the fourth she hit a two-run home run to left field to end the game and run-rule the Hornets.

Hemphill's 62nd home run allows Alabama to advance in regional play.

Tomorrow, Saturday May 22, the Crimson Tide will play Clemson in the winner’s bracket at 11 a.m. CT.