Alabama Softball Secures Series with 13-1 Win over Auburn

An 11-run third inning propelled the Alabama softball team to a 13-1 victory over rival Auburn, in front of a sellout crowd, Sunday afternoon at Rhoads Stadium. With the win the Crimson Tide improves to 29-4 overall and 6-3 in Southeastern Conference play.

Senior Kayla Braud, junior Kaila Hunt and sophomore Jadyn Spencer collected two hits apiece. Braud scored three runs and stole two bases while Hunt scored twice, had two RBI and Spencer drove in three.

Junior Jackie Traina (14-2) allowed one run on one hit and struck out one in the run-rule victory. She did not allow a hit until the fourth inning.

Alabama opened its portion of the first inning with two runs. Freshman Haylie McCleney started the scoring by coming all the way home after a throw sailed into centerfield on a stolen base attempt at second. Junior Lauren Sewell then tomahawked the first pitch she saw down the line in left to plate Braud.

The sun came out and the runs poured in for the Tide as Alabama scored its most runs in a single inning on the season, putting an 11-spot on Auburn in the third inning. The Tide banged out eight hits in the frame. Four different Tide players had two RBI base hits as Spencer started the inning with a single through the right side, freshman pinch-hitter Leona Lafaele singled up the middle, McCleney got in the action with a single and then Hunt singled up the middle as well for the pair of RBI hits.

Alabama will hit the road for four games next week. The Tide will open its week in Texas against Houston on Wednesday, March 27, then head to College Station for a three game series against Texas A&M, that will begin on Friday, March 29.