The Alabama Crimson Tide softball team suffered its first SEC loss of the season to the  Arkansas Razorbacks 5-3 on Sunday evening.

"When you get the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, you got to take advantage of it. You know, it's like running the Boston Marathon and stopping at 26 miles instead of going the last two tenths. It just drives me nuts. You know, we have a huge opening. Emma has a great hit. It was a good pitch by the pitcher, you know, a drop on the outside corner and she bangs it in the right field for the first RBI and then you get three K's after that. So it's it's almost like you get all the way to a finish line and then you take a step back and don't finish it. And it's very frustrating," said Alabama softball head coach Patrick Murphy.

Right-handed pitcher Alex Salter started in the circle for the Crimson Tide. The junior pitched 2.1 innings, recording two hits, three earned runs, five walks, and one strikeout.

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Arkansas got on the board first, scoring three runs on an RBI double by catcher Lauren Camenzind and a two-RBI single by shortstop Atalyia Rijo in the second inning.

Lauren Esman came in for relief in the second inning. The Michigan transfer pitched 2.1 innings, recording one hit, two runs, one earned run, one walk, and one strikeout.

Alabama got on the board in the third inning, scoring two runs. The first came from an RBI single by designated player Bailey Dowling and the second came from an RBI single by second baseman Kali Heivilin. The Tide had an opportunity to tie the game, however Broadfoot's attempt to score came up short as she was called out at home plate to end the inning.

The Tide had another opportunity to tie the game in the fourth inning with a single by Ashley Prange, however Jordan Stephens was called out at home plate to end the inning.

The Razorbacks extended their lead in the fifth inning, scoring two runs, both coming on fielding errors. The first was by Jenna Johnson and the second was Stephens, both dropping pop ups.

Jaala Torrence came in for relief in the fifth inning and finished out the game. She recorded zeros across the board.

Alabama had one last opportunity in the seventh inning. The Tide loaded the bases with a base hit from Prange, Shipman hit by pitch, and Dowling drawing a walk. Broadfoot came up to the plate and hit an RBI single to cut the Razorbacks deficit to two runs, but that is all Alabama could get.

Alabama will finish its series against Arkansas on Monday, March 20, 2023. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT. Coverage will be on Me-TV 97.5 and the Me-TV 97.5 app which is free to download in the App Store.

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