Alabama Softball Improves to 11-0, Defeats North Alabama 9-1
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Another victory in the books.
On Wednesday, No. 10 Alabama Softball defeated North Alabama 9-1, adding on to their scorching 11 game winning streak to open the 2024 season after coming off a 5-0 slate at last weekend's Easton Bama Bash at Rhoads Stadium.
In the bottom of the first, freshman Lauren Johnson continued her hot start, reaching on a single to the pitcher. After a throwing error, she advanced to second. That set things up for sophomore Abby Duchscherer, who blasted a home run to left field, giving the Crimson Tide a 2-0 advantage.
"That was key,"Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said. "We got off to a slow start on Sunday just offensively and then when Abby [Duchscherer] gets up, and cranks one halfway up the light pole, I think it put a jolt into everybody. It was a good way to start."
In the bottom of the second, an Emma Broadfoot single put a runner on for Kenleigh Cahalan, who tallied a sharp single of her own. Two batters later, JUCO transfer Kendal Clark hit a deep fly ball to left that scored pinch runner Kenleigh Pate, making the score 3-0 in favor of the Crimson Tide.
However, the biggest singular blow to the Lions came an inning later, when Broadfoot, a former transfer from North Alabama herself, blasted a three-run home run to left field that bounced off the scoreboard, scoring Duchscherer and Dowling who singled and walked, respectively, putting Alabama in front 6-0.
"That was the definition of M.U.D.I.T.A.," Duchscherer said. "[Emma Broadfoot] works hard every day and to see it turn out in games, that's when you get excited for people. A lot of our teammates, they put in the work you don't see, and so when it finally comes into play during a game it's exciting."
In the top of the fourth, the Lions got a run back, as second baseman Hailey Jones doubled to right. After a throwing error, Jones advanced to second, setting up the sacrifice opportunity for Haven Kirby, who pushed a run across the plate after placing a groundball to short, cutting the Crimson Tide lead to 6-1.
Outside of Jones’ double, senior Jaala Torrence was sharp, throwing a mere 21 balls out of 89 total pitches while tossing six innings of two hit, six strikeout ball – grabbing her fourth win of the season in steady fashion.
"Jaala was just in complete control the whole time," Murphy said. "She filled up the strike zone and didn't walk anybody. I thought she was in control of the entire game."
In the bottom of the sixth, a Larissa Preuitt two-RBI single put Alabama up 8-1. Moments later, a Kali Heivilin single through the left side ended things, giving the Crimson Tide a 9-1 run-rule victory.
Now sitting at an impressive 11-0 on the season, the Crimson Tide will make the 45-minute drive to Birmingham, Ala. for the first game of the Green & Gold Classic, facing the UAB Blazers on Friday at 3:45 p.m. CT.
[this story will be updated]
How it Happened...
Final: No. 10 Alabama 9, North Alabama 1
Final stats courtesy of Statbroadcast.com
Bottom Sixth - Alabama Batting:
- Heivilin singles. Johnson scores. Alabama wins. F: Alabama 9, UNA 1.
- Preuitt singles. Two runs come across. B6: Alabama 8, UNA 1.
- J. Johnson hit by pitch.
- Clark flies out to left.
- Valentine singles to center.
- Cahalan walks.
Top Sixth - UNA Batting:
- Jones grounds out to second. Inning concludes.
- Patterson strikes out looking.
- Harris grounds out to short.
Bottom Fifth - Alabama Batting:
- Fielder's choice putout at second for Broadfoot. Inning concludes.
- Dowling walks.
- Heivilin lines out to right. Two down for Dowling.
- Duchscherer pops up to the pitcher.
Top Fifth - UNA Batting:
- Bevis pops up to third. Inning concludes.
- Farnetti goes down swinging. Two outs. Torrence is dialed in.
- Clem strikes out looking.
Bottom Fourth - Alabama Batting:
- Preuitt hits into a double play. Inning concludes.
- Giles reaches on a fielding error. Clark advances. Larissa Preuitt coming up with two on and one out.
- Clark singles down the left field line. One out, one on for Marlie Giles, who is pinch hitting for Jenna Johnson.
- Valentine grounds out to third for the first out of the inning.
Top Fourth - UNA Batting:
- Boyett strikes out looking. Inning concludes.
- Dover grounds out to short.
- Kirby grounds out to short, Jones scores. T4: Alabama 6, UNA 1.
- Jones advances to third on a wild pitch.
- Jones doubles to right.
Bottom Third - Alabama Batting:
- Cahalan fires a rocket to left, but it's caught. Inning concludes.
- Broadfoot drills a three run home over the left-center fence and hits the scoreboard. She's broken this game open. B3: Alabama 6, UNA 0.
- Dowling singles. Duchscherer advances. Broadfoot coming up.
- Heivilin goes down looking. One on, out out for Dowling.
- Duchscherer walks. One on, one out for Heivilin.
- Lauren Johnson pops out to short.
Top Third - UNA Batting:
- Frame strikes out swinging. Quick work for Torrence.
- Harris grounds out to short. Two down.
- Bevis grounds out to Cahalan at short.
Bottom Second - Alabama Batting:
- Diving catch from the left fielder saves a run for the Lions. Inning concludes.
- Clark hits a sacrifice fly to left. Pate scores. Cahalan advances on the throw. One on, two outs for Jenna Johnson. B2: Alabama 3, UNA 0.
- Valentine pops up to second. Nothing happening for the Crimson Tide. One down, runners at the corners for Kendal Clark.
- Cahalan drills a single to center. Pate advances. Runners at the corners for Valentine.
- Pate steals second.
- Broadfoot singled to center. Pate will pinch run. One on, no outs for Cahalan.
Top Second - UNA Batting:
- Farnetti pops out to second base. Inning concludes.
- Torrence drills Clem. HBP. One on, two outs for Farnetti.
- Boyett strikes out swinging. First strikeout of the day for Torrence.
- Drover grounds out to short for the first out of the inning.
- 5-6-7 hitters coming up for North Alabama.
Bottom First - Alabama Batting:
- Dowling pops out to second. Inning concludes.
- Kali Heivilin flies out to center. Two down.
- Abby Duchscherer homers to left field. L. Johnson scores. B1: Alabama 2, North Alabama 0.
- Lauren Johnson singled to the pitcher, throwing error advances her.
- Jenna Johnson flies out to center.
Top First - UNA Batting:
- Kirby grounds out to third.
- Bloop single gets Jones on base. One on, two outs for Kirby.
- Frame grounds out to short. Two outs.
- Harris grounds out to first base for the first out of the game.
Starting Lineup:
Pregame:
- Nicole DeBoer was the honorary first pitch thrower.
- First pitch for No. 10 Alabama vs. North Alabama is set for 3:00 p.m. CT.
Scouting Alabama
- Alabama returns to Rhoads Stadium on Wednesday, hosting North Alabama for a 3 p.m. CT first pitch
- The Crimson Tide is 10-0 through two weeks of play, coming off a 5-0 slate at last weekend's Easton Bama Bash in Tuscaloosa
- The Tide is ranked as high as No. 10 in this week's national polls
- Alabama returns 15 letterwinners from last year's Women's College World Series squad, including 2023 All-SEC honoree Larissa Preuitt, 2023 NFCA All-Region Kenleigh Cahalan, 2023 All-SEC and SEC All-Tournament Team Jenna Johnson and 2022 All-SEC and All-Region Bailey Dowling
- Seven newcomers are on the Tide roster in 2024, including freshmen Lauren Johnson (Franklin, Tenn.) and Jocelyn Briski (Phoenix, Ariz.) and transfers Kayla Beaver (Central Arkansas), Kendal Clark (DMACC), Alea Johnson (LSU), Kinley Pate (Samford) and Riley Valentine (Texas A&M)
(Information courtesy of Alabama Athletics)
