Alabama Athletics
Bailey Dowling's Bat Leads Alabama Softball to 6-2 Win at Samford
For just the second time this season, Bailey Dowling started in the field at second base. And despite spending most of the season as the designated hitter, this didn't seem to affect her hitting ability at all.
Dowling went 2-4 with four RBIs, including a bases-clearing double in the second inning to blow the game open on the way to No. 14 Alabama's 6-2 win over Samford Tuesday night.
It marked the most runs scored by the Crimson Tide since it scored 12 runs in a run-rule win over UAB on March 22. Alabama had been averaging 3.1 runs per game over its last nine games heading into the matchup with Samford.
Dowling got the scoring started in the first inning with an RBI-single to right. Larissa Preuitt tagged on an RBI-groundout to give Alabama the early 2-0 lead in the first. The Bulldogs responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning off Alabama starter Lauren Esman. She was relieved by Alex Salter after facing a little bit of trouble to start the second inning.
The big blow was Dowling's 3-RBI double in the second inning. It gave Alabama the 6-1 lead, and the Bulldogs could never get back in the game. However, that would be the last time Alabama would score in the game.
Because the Crimson Tide was able to build up such a large lead in the second inning, head coach Patrick Murphy was able to give a lot of players opportunities in the field, at the plate, in the circle and along the base paths.
Salter was solid in relief, only allowing three hits and one run over four innings after coming in with two runners on and no outs in the second. Jaala Torrence came in to pitch in the sixth inning and did not allow a run over the final two innings.
Alabama improves to 29-12 on the season and now looks ahead to a three-game SEC series at Mississippi State over the weekend.
See also:
Montana Fouts Earns Second-Straight National, SEC Pitcher of Week Honors
