Doubleheader Split on Opening Day Leaves Alabama Softball with Mixed Emotions
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama's first game back at Rhoads Stadium felt a lot like its last.
The Lehigh Mountain Hawks spoiled the Crimson Tide's season opener with a 7-4 upset victory, thanks to a three-run seventh inning and five RBIs from Emily Ciminio.
Alabama bounced back in game two to beat Georgia Southern 8-2 behind a complete-game performance from Montana Fouts in the Leadoff Classic Friday night.
"I think the key words are bounced back," Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said after the game. "And it unfortunately it was just they hit the ball, period. The three-hole hitter for Lehigh, she was the hero. She had the home run, and then she had the bases-loaded double, and she got her hits when she needed."
Game one couldn't have gotten off to a better start. In the field, the defense forced Lehigh to go three up, three down. And on offense, Alabama already had two runs on two pitches thanks to a leadoff single from Kenleigh Cahalan and home run from Ashley Prange to give Alabama the early 2-0 lead. Transfer Emma Broadfoot added a two-run shot of her own in the fourth inning after Lehigh had tied the game up. Broadfoot's home run would be the last time Alabama would score in the game.
"We should have scored more runs," Murphy said. "We get the two-run home run in the first inning, and then she sits nine in a row down. That to me was the key to the game. Because if our 3, 4 or 5 get on, she has a feeling about her like, 'Oh boy, this is gonna be a long day.' And instead, her confidence goes through the roof."
Cimino tied it up at 4-4 with a home run for Lehigh the next half inning off of Jaala Torrence, who had come in to relieve starter Lauren Esman. The two combined to pitch six innings, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits.
In a tie game in the seventh inning, Torrence found herself in a pickle when the first two batters reached on singles. Alabama then turned to Fouts from the bullpen. She gave up back to back hits, including the lethal bases-clearing double from Cimino that curled just inside the third base line.
"I know she was disappointed," Murphy said. "Usually she's money in that situation. But it happens, and the kid hit a good pitch. And it's a fair ball right down the line. But I knew she'd come back bigger and better and stronger in the second game. I just had a feeling that she'd really do well. That's what she's done her whole career."
And Fouts did come back stronger in game two against Georgia Southern. Outside of the fourth inning when the Eagles collected three hits in a row to score their only two runs, Fouts was nearly untouchable. She finished with 16 strikeouts in the game.
It took the offense a little while to get going in game two, but after the Eagles scored two runs in the top of the fourth, Alabama responded with three thanks to RBI hits from freshman Larissa Preuitt and sophomore Kali Heivilin.
"It was awesome," Preuitt said about her first career RBI. "I feel like it just all stems from the dugout. It's fun in there, and I'm just able to stay loose."
After the three-run fourth inning, Alabama tacked on five runs in the fifth to really bust open the lead. Preuitt had another RBI hit, and Heilivin blasted a three-run home run. Preuitt finished the day 3-4 with three RBIs, and Heivilin went 3-6 with 4 RBIs over the two games.
Because Alabama was able to open up such a big lead, it allowed more players to enter the game and gain experience. Between the two games Friday evening, 17 of the 21 players made an appearance with all five freshmen getting in at some point. Four of the five freshmen collected at least one hit.
Murphy said he was really pleased with the second game. Everyone in the lineup did something positive, unlike the first game. Despite losing the first game, Heivilin is taking Friday as an overall positive because of the way the team responded.
"Now it's time to battle, because it's not going to get any easier," Heivilin said. "The season's long. It's going to get even harder. Having this challenge so early on, I think it was a good thing for us— not that we wanted to lose. But it's good to have that challenge so we can prove what we really got."
Weather permitting, Alabama (1-1) will get another shot at both Lehigh (2-0) and Georgia Southern (0-2) Saturday afternoon with another doubleheader. This time, Alabama is scheduled to face the Eagles first at 1:30 p.m. before capping the tournament with the rematch against Lehigh.
See also:
All Things Bama Podcast - Crimson Corner: An Introduction of Sorts
How to Watch: No. 3 Alabama Basketball at Auburn
Give DeVonta Smith His Due as Wide Receiver Continues to Silence Critics: All Things CW
