SOFTBALL: Team 26 Starts the Season 4-0 at Candrea Classic

After taking down New Mexico in game four of the inaugural Candrea Classic, No. 3/2 Alabama Softball moves to 4-0 on the season, outscoring opponents 35-4 in the explosive opening weekend.

Team 26 opened the 2022 season in style on Friday with an 11-0 run-rule-victory after five innings. Alabama got on Southern Utah early and hung an 8-0 lead after just one inning. Freshman Megan Bloodworth capitalized on her earned start and sent a grand slam over the fence in her first collegiate at-bat for the Crimson Tide.

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NFCA Pitcher of the Year Montana Fouts earned her first start and win of the season to open Saturday's doubleheader games. Fouts gave up three hits and an earned run to Oregon State but recorded 14 strikeouts in the process, marking her 29th game with the program fetching double-digit strikeouts.

Bloodworth touched all four bases again in the 5-1 win over the Beavers after a solo home run in the fifth inning, giving the Tide a 2-0 lead.

Alabama had a statement win against the host team in game two of the doubleheader, run-ruling No. 11/9 Arizona in their own stadium 11-0 to move to 3-0 on the weekend. Junior RHP Lexi Kilfoyl went the distance on offense and defense Saturday night as she only gave up two hits on the outing while raking in a homer for herself at the plate.

Senior Ohio State transfer Ashley Prange made her introduction on Saturday night with a perfect 3-for-3 appearance, including two home runs and four RBI in the lashing of the Wildcats.

The Crimson Tide rounded out the weekend with a matinee victory over the New Mexico Lobos on Sunday, 8-3. Freshman outfielder Dallis Goodnight marked five hits in four games, with two of those - both RBI - coming in Sunday's closing game. Despite coach Patrick Murphy having to relieve her in the seventh inning, redshirt freshman RHP Alex Salter earned her first start and win with a six strikeout performance through 6.1 innings pitched.

Alabama returns to the Rhoads House on Friday, February 18, as Tuscaloosa hosts the Easton Bama Bash featuring Evansville, Virginia Tech, and Middle Tennessee. The Tide's first game at home is scheduled for Friday at 1:30 p.m. as they open their home schedule with Evansville.

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