Crimson Tide Softball Tops MSVU in Midweek Showdown 8-5

The No. 4 ranked Alabama softball team opened midweek play with an 8-5 victory over Mississippi Valley State, Tuesday night at Rhoads Stadium. With the win, the Crimson Tide improves to 36-6 while MVSU moves to 13-24 on the season.

The reigning Southeastern Conference Player of the Week, junior Molly Fichtner, once again paced the Tide, going 3-for-4 with two RBI. Senior Kayla Braud batted 3-for-4 with a run while sophomores Danielle Richard and Jadyn Spencer had two RBI apiece.

The Tide opened the scoring in the first with three runs. Fichtner got things going with a single to left that scored Braud. Richard then pounded a two-run shot for her sixth home run on the season to cap the scoring in the opening frame.

After Mississippi Valley State evened the score in the fifth inning, Alabama responded in the bottom half with four runs. Fichtner once again got it started, this time with a double to center that scored freshman Haylie McCleney all the way from first. Spencer then hit a two-run pinch-hit double down the line in left before junior Ryan Iamurri doubled to right to plate pinch-runner Andrea Hawkins.

Sophomore Leslie Jury (12-3) earned the win in relief, allowing two runs on two hits in 2 2/3 innings. Starter Lauren Sewell allowed three runs on five hits while fanning nine in 4 1/3 innings.

Alabama will host UAB to round out its short week tomorrow at 6 p.m. You can hear every pitch on your flagship station for Alabama softball 99.1 WDGM-FM, 991wdgm.com and the Radio Pup app for Androids and Iphones.