TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 15 Alabama collected ranked win number six on Friday with a 1-0 shutout win over No. 12 Virginia Tech. With this win, Alabama improved to 25-5 on the season.
“Just a heck of a pitching performance by both sides tonight. I have a lot of respect for Coach Pete and that team for making the trip down here. This was just a hell of a softball game on a Friday night,” Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said.
The pitching was the story all night tonight for both teams. The Alabama offense only collected two hits, from Kendal Clark and Kristen White. Both starting pitchers Kayla Beaver and Emma Laney tossed complete-game performances. Hokie pitcher Laney was making quick work of the Alabama lineup for most of the game, taking a perfect game to the fifth inning.
Kayla Beaver was as dominant in the circle as she has been all season. Coming into the game, Virginia Tech was ranked fifth in the country in offensive batting average. Despite allowing the leadoff runner to reach in three straight innings, she never faltered. Beaver held the Hokies to 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and 2-for-12 with runners on.
“I like to pretend like it’s just me and Marlie [Giles] out there playing a game of catch. Lance [McMahon] always has a great game plan and he knows how to keep us comfortable out there,” said Kayla Beaver.
Alabama was finally able to get to Laney in the fifth inning. With two outs, Bailey Dowling put together an excellent plate appearance to work a two-out walk and break up the perfect game. Then, according to Patrick Murphy, Kendal Clark had the biggest hit of her life. Clark lined a 1-1 pitch up the middle to drive in the winning run.
Beaver, with the help of Kenleigh Cahalan, made quick work of the Hokie lineup in the 7th inning to secure the victory. Beaver collected win number 10 of the season, her final line: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K.
NEXT: Alabama will look for the two-game series sweep over Virginia Tech on Saturday with the first pitch set for 1 p.m. CT.
