Comeback Effort Not Enough as No. 14 Alabama Softball falls to Kentucky 6-3

On a day where Patrick Murphy was ejected, the Crimson Tide can't contain the Wildcats on the road.

Another comeback comes up short.

On Thursday, No. 14 Alabama Softball fell to Kentucky 6-3, falling to 25-7 (2-5 SEC) on the season.

The top of the first inning saw Alabama starting strong with back-to-back walks by Jenna Johnson and Kenleigh Cahalan, setting the stage for a potential early lead. However, the Crimson Tide failed to capitalize on the opportunity as Kali Heivilin struck out swinging, leaving runners stranded.

Kentucky responded in the bottom of the first with a leadoff single. Despite a valiant effort by the Wildcats, including walks and loaded bases, Alabama pitcher Kayla Beaver managed to hold them off, ending the inning without conceding a run after taking a hard-hit ball to the chest.

After the play, Crimson Tide head coach Patrick Murphy was ejected after arguing about balls and strikes, leaving Alabama assistant Kayla Braud as active head coach.

In the top of the second, Alabama found themselves in front after a wild pitch that scored Lauren Johnson. It would be the lone run of the inning for the Crimson Tide after a Kenleigh Cahalan strikeout with two outs.

The momentum shifted in Kentucky's favor during the bottom of the second inning when they rallied to score multiple runs to erase Alabama's 1-0 lead, scoring a run off of Beaver courtesy of a bases loaded walk. Briski would come in for Beaver, who allowed an additional two runs on a passed ball and a walk, as the Crimson Tide fell into a 3-1 hole.

In the bottom of the fifth, Briski struggled with location, as three runs came across during the frame, giving the Wildcats a 6-1 advantage.

In the top of the sixth, the Alabama lineup responded, as Marlie Giles and Emma Broadfoot posted back-to-back solo home runs to cut the Kentucky lead to three, 6-3.

Despite a tenacious battle, Kentucky's Stephanie Schoovner delivered a clutch strikeout of Emma Broadfoot in the top of the seventh after a 10-pitch at-bat with runners on the corners, sealing the victory for the Wildcats.

After the loss, the Crimson Tide will look to claw their way back in the series with two more games coming against Kentucky on Friday and Saturday at 5:30 p.m. CT and 1:00 p.m. CT, respectively.