Softball Splits Doubleheader with Kentucky, Tide Win 2nd Game 14-0

The Alabama softball team split its doubleheader with Kentucky, Saturday afternoon at Rhoads Stadium. The Wildcats won game one, 5-0, and then the Crimson Tide bounced back with a 14-0 victory in game two. After the twin-bill, Alabama moves to 41-11 overall and 13-10 in Southeastern Conference play.

GAME ONE
Alabama opened its three game series against Kentucky with a 5-0 loss, Saturday afternoon. The Crimson Tide was shutout for the first time since 2011 and at home for the first time since 2010.

Kelsey Nunley (23-7) went the distance for the Wildcats, striking out five while allowing just four hits. UA sophomore Leslie Jury (15-5) was tagged with the loss after allowing all five runs on five hits in five innings. Senior Lauren Sewell pitched two innings of shutout relief.

Christian Stokes batted 2-for-3 with two runs and a two-run homer to provide the punch for Kentucky. The home run came after an Ansley Smith sac-fly for a three-run second inning. The Wildcats added two more in the fifth when Griffin Joiner hit a two-run single to left.

GAME TWO
After dropping four games in a row for the first time since 2004 the Tide had seen enough, erupting for four runs before recording an out en route to a 10-run first inning and ultimately a 14-0 win.

The first inning was highlighted by back-to-back home runs by junior Molly Fichtner and freshman Leona Lafaele and then four bases loaded walks.

The Tide added four more in the second to increase the lead to 14-0. Braud hit a bases loaded RBI single and then Fichtner added another with a sac-fly to left. Lafaele brought home two, one on an error to end the scoring in the frame.

Braud paced the Tide at the plate with a 3-for-4 effort, scoring three runs and driving in two. Fichtner scored twice and had four RBI while senior Keima Davis and junior Ryan Iamurri had two hits piece.

Junior Jackie Traina (18-6) earned the win, allowing just two hits while striking out four in three innings. Senior Lauren Sewell allowed two hits in two scoreless innings of relief.

The two teams will wrap up the series on Sunday, May 5, with first pitch slated for 1:30 p.m. CT, at Rhoads Stadium. You can hear every pitch on the flagship station for Alabama Softball, 99.1 WDGM, 991wdgm.com and the Radio Pup application for Androids and Iphones.