Game 1

The Alabama Crimson Tide opened up day 2 of the Green & Gold Classic with a 10-1 victory over the Bradley Braves. Alabama scored 8 of its 10 runs on 4 costly Braves errors. Despite allowing her first run of the season, starting pitcher Alea Johnson improved to 2-0.

Alabama faced adversity for the first time this season in the second inning when Braves third baseman Keirston McCoy sent a hanging change up to the parking lot for a solo home run. The early 1-0 deficit marked the first time the Tide had trailed all year.

The Crimson Tide offense quickly responded in the third inning with some help from the Braves defense. With one runner on and two outs, first baseman Abby Duchscherer reached on an E5. One batter later, third baseman Bailey Dowling gave Alabama the lead with a 2-run single.

Alabama collected 3 stolen bases in this one, continuing to show off how fast their offense is. “We should be averaging at least 2 stolen bases a game. We have one of the fastest teams in the country and we will use that to our advantage,” said Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy.

In the fifth inning, the Alabama offense yet again took advantage of poor defensive play. Jenna Johnson and Abby Duchscherer both reached via errors committed by the Braves second baseman. Bailey Dowling then tallied her third RBI of the day with a sacrifice fly.

After Kendal Clark reached on a hit-by-pitch, catcher Riley Valentine broke the game open with a monster grand slam, extending the Crimson Tide lead to 7.

Alabama scored three more runs in the final two innings of the game. KJ Haney and Kristen White each got their first RBIs of the season. Haney’s RBI came from a sacrifice fly, while White’s came from a groundout. Kali Heivilin also notched an RBI on a single.

Defensively, the combination of Alea Johnson and Jaala Torrence worked again. The two combined for 9 Ks and just 5 hits allowed in 6 innings pitched.

 

Game 2

In the second game on Saturday, the Alabama Crimson Tide came back to defeat the North Alabama Lions by a score of 8-3. Alabama put together one of its best offensive performances with 13 hits on the night.

Alabama found themselves trailing early once more on Saturday. In the top half of the third, the Lions took the lead first when Marlie Giles overthrew the ball during a steal attempt to second base. This allowed the baserunner to advance home and score the first run of the game.

Alabama responded quickly in the bottom of the third inning when senior Emma Broadfoot, a former North Alabama Lion, hit a double down the left field line, bringing in one run.

With the game tied at one run apiece in the top of the fourth, Kayla Beaver was knocked around for the first time this season. The Lions loaded the bases after a single, a hit-by-pitch, and a double. North Alabama then took the lead on a 2-RBI double by Lillyanna Cartee.

The Crimson Tide did not take long to regain the lead. In the home half of the fourth, senior Jenna Johnson picked up a 2-RBI double to right center, tying the game at 3. Johnson went a career-best 4-4 on the night. Later in the inning, Kenleigh Cahalan gave Alabama its first lead with a run-scoring single.

Alabama broke the game open in the sixth inning when sophomore standout Abby Duchscherer smashed a three-run home run to left field, putting Alabama ahead by 4 runs. With that, Duchscherer is now the team leader in both home runs and RBIs after a 3-4 night at the plate.

Alabama tallied 4 runs against relief pitching in this one. Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy wants his team to attack relief arms more, “We can’t let relievers get comfortable no matter who we are playing. We have made more of a point to attack the new arms and we were able to put up a 4 spot on their reliever in this one,” said Murphy.

Besides Duscherer and Johnson, Marlie Giles and Kali Heivilin both secured 2 hit performances.

Starting pitcher Kayla Beaver collected win number 5 on the season with another strong performance. Despite allowing 2 earned runs, Beaver struck out 10 batters while only allowing 3 hits.

NEXT: Alabama will finish off play in the Green & Gold Classic against tournament host UAB at 11 a.m. on Sunday.