By Carson Keel
CLEARWATER, Fla- Alabama softball came out with the win in a low-offense game on Sunday against number-seven-ranked Florida State University to wrap up their five-game set from the Clearwater Invitational.
Slow offense is still offense.
The Bama offense was slow to get going against the Seminoles, with the first runs of the game being scored in the fourth inning. They would also be the only two runs that Alabama would need to win the game.
Kenleigh Cahalan and Bailey Dowling hit the two home runs that gave Alabama the lead. Calahan now has two home runs this season, and for Dowling, this was her first of the season.
The Tide would end up with fewer hits than Florida State, with the Seminoles having four hits and Bama having only three.
Founts still on Fire.
Montana Fountain pitched all seven innings, allowing only four hits and striking out seven batters. This brings her total to 31.1 innings pitched, 24 hits against, and a 2.90 ERA. Fouts faced 26 batters during her time at the plate. Her season record is now 4-1.
The Florida State defense kept them in the game.
Florida State made sure to let the Tide know that they were right behind them in the game, as noted by the fact that only a half inning later, the Seminoles closed the gap to one run. While they did not end up winning the game, this should be commended.
FSU used two pitchers in the matchup, with Kathryn Sandercock taking the brunt of the action with 5.1 innings pitched, and Makenna Ried coming in for the final 0.2 innings. Sandercock had three hits, and two earned runs off her, all while facing 20 batters. Ried had one strikeout and faced two batters.
Alabama softball’s next game is on Wednesday, February 22nd, at home at Rhoads Stadium. The Tide will be facing the Samford Bulldogs, who have a 2-6 record.
