Pitchers Lead the Way As Alabama Finishes Off the Bama Bash
Alabama bashed through the competition over the weekend going 5-0. They finished the Bama Bash off with a score of 2-0 against Southern Indiana.
"It feels good. There's still a lot more to come, a lot more ball to play," said Sophomore pitcher Alea Johnson. "I'm excited for the rest of the season."
Johnson was unexpectedly inserted into the game just two outs into the game after Senior Lauren Esman had to be taken out for an injury. Johnson pitched the next five and a third inning without allowing a run. She struck out six and flustered the screaming eagles with her wicked changeup.
"It was definitely unexpected, but I just went out there and I knew my defense had my back," said Johnson. "Tried to relax and just let my stuff work."
After allowing the lead off hitter on in the top of the seventh, Johnson handed the ball to senior Kayla Beaver to shut the door. She slammed it on the first pitch when she rolled a double play to second basmen Kali Heivilin.
"I was very confident," said Johnson when asked how she felt giving the ball to Beaver in the seventh. "I knew that whoever they put in, any of the other pitchers, I knew they were going to take care of business."
The Crimson Tide dashed out to a lead in the bottom of the first without recording a hit. After a hit by pitch and two walks the bases were loaded for shortstop Kenleigh Cahalan. She also drew a walk scoring the first run of the game. Catcher Marlie Giles followed that with a sacrifice fly to score the second run of the game. That was all the runs Alabama could muster but it was enough as the pitchers led the way.
Alabama is now 10-0 after back-to-back 5-0 weekends to start the season.
The Crimson Tide will have a two day break before returning to action Wednesday afternoon against North Alabama at Rhoads Stadium.
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