By: Jaylon T. Brooks
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.-, The Alabama Crimson Tide fell short against the Liberty Lady Flames but bounced back strong in the second game of their doubleheader. After a back and forth pitching duel that nearly lasted all game, the Tide sealed the 3-1 victory in the seventh inning over the Marshall Thundering Herd.
What started out as a quiet game from both sides, quickly turned into a loud one as the game grew closer to the end. The Alabama offense started slow due to a great game by Marshall’s Sydney Nester who finished the day with eight strikeouts. It wasn’t until the start of the sixth inning where Alabama Senior Ally Shipman steered momentum for the Tide by hitting a leadoff double.
Shipman also provided Alabama with their first run of the game after Bailey Dowling hit a homerun to give the Tide a 2-0 lead. Unfortunately for the Thundering Herd, things got worse as Marshall continued to give up errors which led to Freshman Larissa Preuitt scoring later in the game giving the Tide a 3-0 lead.
The Alabama defense played a great game starting with Lauren Esman. Stepping in for Montana Fouts, the Junior pitcher had herself a game. Esman ended the game with two strikeouts, and did not allow a base hit, retiring 13 batters until the bottom of the fifth inning. She did not give up another hit until she gave up a walk in the bottom of the seventh, giving Montana Fouts one last chance to play in front of her hometown West Virginia and her fourth save of the season.
“I’m always happy to play the game anywhere, but it’s really special being home in front of my family, friends and especially all these little girls because I used to be just like that.” said Fouts.
The Crimson Tide will go onto play Auburn Friday, April 21 – 8 p.m. CT – SEC Network.
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