Crimson Tide Softball Preps for Easton Crimson Classic
The No. 3 University of Alabama softball team is 9-0 and preparing to host the 2021 Easton Crimson Classic this weekend.
Coach Patrick Murphy's Crimson Tide squad will face Memphis [0-4] in a Friday doubleheader starting at 4 p.m. CT at Rhoads Stadium.
Saturday, Alabama takes on North Carolina [4-1 ] in an 11 a.m. CT doubleheader.
Tar Heels ace Brittany Pickett is the reigning ACC Pitcher of the Week after posting a 3-0 record last weekend. Her ERA over 21 innings was 0.67.
The Crimson Tide will close the weekend out Sunday with a 1 p.m. game against in-state foe Troy. The Trojans are off to a 10-1 start this season and coming off a win over Samford.
Murphy’s top freshman performer thus far has been shortstop Bailey Dowling, who launched a three-run homer to center field during Wednesday’s 7-1 win over UAB in Tuscaloosa.
“That was a big hit for us,” Murphy said after the contest. “It really set the tone for the entire night.
“Bailey has battled at the plate this whole season. She keeps getting to the next pitch until she gets something she can drive. For her to do it as a freshman is even more impressive.”
Dowling, who hails from St. Joseph, Ill., is batting .346 with three home runs and a team-leading 13 RBIs after starting all nine games.
Alabama has been led in hitting by first baseman Kaylee Tow with a .560 average. Her fellow senior, center fielder Elissa Brown, is batting .545 to go with 10 stolen bases, averaging more than one per game.
In the pitching circle, Montana Fouts and Lexi Kilfoyl are both 4-0. Kilfoyl’s ERA is 0.29 and Fouts’ is 1.27. Fouts has 38 strikeouts to Kilfoyl’s 26.
Injury-wise, Murphy could be down an outfielder or two this weekend. After the UAB win he noted that Jenna Johnson would have an MRI on her knee Thursday. He added that normal right field starter KB Sides was "day-to-day" with a tweaked leg muscle.
The games at the Easton Crimson Classic can be viewed by streaming on SEC Network Plus on the ESPN app.
