South Carolina Snags Series Sweep From Under Bama

Alabama won one and lost one in Saturday's double header with the South Carolina Gamecocks. The loss in the second game came at the hands of a two-run homer and a well-executed double steal.

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Lauren Esman got the start in Alabama's "Power of Pink" game, but was pulled after the two-run homer that gave South Carolina its second and third runs. She finished her day having faced 16 batters and dealing four strikeouts and a walk along, all while giving up three runs and three hits.

Jaala Torrence stepped into the circle in Esman's stead and did a phenomenal job closing game down. She retired 15 batters on 69 pitches, striking out three batters and walking two, all while giving up no runs or hits.

The Tide bats showed some signs of life in game one, but all but disappeared in game two. Ashley Prange, on her senior night, scored the lone run on a solo shot well over the left field wall.

In total, the Tide left six runners on base in the losing effort.

"It was unfortunate because I thought Lauren and Jaala pitched well enough to win," said Patrick Murphy of the disastrous fielding issues that led to South Carolina's offense in innings one and two. "You don't get many opportunities to sweep in the SEC and we have to win the first two to be able to sweep and we did that. And for them to only give up only three hits, I thought that was a great performance by both of them and it should have been enough."

The Tide gets rolling again on Tuesday April 11 at Samford. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CST and fans can listen to Tom Canterbury and Gray Robertson call the game on 97.5 FM in Tuscaloosa.