Kayla Beaver Throws No-Hitter in Alabama Debut
Kayla Beaver made quite the first impression in an Alabama uniform.
In the Crimson Tide’s first game of the season, Beaver threw a no-hitter as Alabama beat Villanova 3-0 at the Buzz Classic in Atlanta. It was the 46th no-hitter in program history, and it took Beaver just 101 pitches.
It was a dominant outing from Beaver with 14 strikeouts. The only baserunner she allowed was a leadoff walk in the second inning. Fittingly, she ended the game with three straight strikeouts.
"What a debut for Kayla Beaver," Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said in a press release. "We are very excited for her and our team. Marlie [Giles] did a great job catching and Lance [McMahon] called an excellent game from the dugout.”
The fifth-year senior transfer from Central Arkansas was named one of 50 players named to the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch coming into the season and proved why she belongs on there Thursday night.
Beaver spent the last four seasons at Central Arkansas but grew up an Alabama fan. During fall ball, she talked about how special it is to now be with the Crimson Tide.
"It’s kind of funny to talk about because I’ve been coming to games here since I was 8 years old," Beaver said back in And so I’ve been an Alabama fan, I’ve been around here for my entire life. Getting to live out that dream is pretty special.”
Alabama’s offensive output came in the second inning. Sophomore Abby Duchsherer blooped a two-RBI single to get Alabama on the board to drive in Bailey Dowling and Kendal Clark. Kali Heivilin picked up an RBI with a fielder’s choice to get the Crimson Tide its third run.
Duchscherer was the only Alabama player to have multiple hits. Outside of the second inning, the Crimson Tide offense was really quiet with four of the six offensive innings without a baserunner.
Alabama opens the season 1-0 and will be back the Buzz Classic on Friday with games against Longwood (10 a.m.) and Georgia Tech (3 p.m.)
How it happened...
(latest updates at the top)
Top 7
- A strikeout ends it. NO HITTER FOR KAYLA BEAVER. ALABAMA WINS
- Another strikeout for the second out.
- Beaver's 12th strikeout goes for out No. 1
- Alabama makes some defensive changes for the seventh inning. Larissa Preuitt moves to right field. Lauren Johnson comes in to centerfield, and Lauren Esman checks in at first base.
Bottom 6
END 6: Alabama 3, Villanova 0
- Another 1-2-3 inning for Alabama at the plate. Fourth time in six innings that the Crimson Tide hasn't had any baserunners.
Top 6
MID 6: Alabama 3, Villanova 0
- Beaver strikes out the side in the sixth and is up to 11 strikeouts in the game.
Bottom 5
END 5: Alabama 3, Villanova 0
Quick 1-2-3 inning for Alabama at the plate.
Top 5
MID 5: Alabama 3, Villanova 0
- Two groundouts and Beaver's eighth strikeout in the fifth. Three up, three down for the Wildcats.
Bottom 4
END 4: Alabama 3, Villanova 0
- Nothing doing for Alabama in the fourth.
Top 4
MID 4: Alabama 3, Villanova 0
- Another three up, three down inning for Beaver in the circle.
Bottom 3
END 3: Alabama 3, Villanova 0
- Valentine hits into a fielder's choice to end the inning.
- Two-out single for Duchscherer for her second hit of the game.
- Dowling, Clark and Duchscherer due up for Alabama in the third– the same group that got the rally going last inning.
Top 3
MID 3: Alabama 3, Villanova 0
- Beaver strikes out the side in the third and is up to seven Ks in the game.
Bottom 2
END 2: Alabama 3, Villanova 0
- Cahalan strikes out swinging to end the inning and leave the bases loaded. But Alabama scores three runs in the second inning.
- Infield single from Preuitt to load the bases with two outs.
- Heivilin reaches on a fielder's choice, and Valentine comes in to score. Alabama leads 3-0
- Giles walks to put runners on the corner with one out.
- Valentine reaches on a fielder's choice. She advances to third with one out on a wild pitch.
- Abby Duchscherer bloops one into left field, and both runners come in to score. Alabama takes a 2-0 lead.
- Kendal Clark follows it up with a double over the centerfielder's head to put runners on second and third with no outs.
- Bailey Dowling leads off with a single up the middle for the first Crimson Tide hit of the season.
Top 2
MID 2: Alabama 0, Villanova 0
- Beaver bounces back from the leadoff walk with a popup and two more strikeouts.
- Leadoff walk for the Wildcats for the first baserunner of the game.
Bottom 1- Alabama batting
END 1: Alabama 0, Villanova 0
- Alabama goes down 1-2-3 in the first inning.
- Johnson, Preuitt and Cahalan due up for the Crimson Tide.
Top 1- Villanova batting
MID 1: Alabama 0, Villanova 0
- A groundout ends the half inning. 1-2-3 inning for the Crimson Tide in the field.
- Make that back-to-back strikeouts for Beaver. Two outs.
- And Beaver strikes out the first batter she faces for the first out of the season.
- The first pitch from Kayla Beaver is a ball, and this game and the 2024 season are underway.
Alabama Starting Lineup
1. Jenna Johnson-LF
2. Larissa Preuitt- CF
3. Kenleigh Cahalan- SS
4. Bailey Dowling- 3B
5. Kendal Clark- RF
6. Abby Duchscherer- 1B
7. Riley Valentine- DP
8. Marlie Giles- C
9. Kali Heivilin- 2B
Starting pitcher: Kayla Beaver
Starting lineups:
Pregame
- Alabama will be the designated home team and bat second.
- First pitch for Alabama and Villanova is set for 5:50 p.m.
- Georgia Tech defeats Villanova 3-2 with the tying runner being thrown out at home. Alabama's game against Villanova should start by 5:55.
- Villanova and Georgia Tech are headed to the seventh inning with Georgia Tech leading 3-0. The Yellow Jackets will need to get three outs, and then the Alabama game will begin 20 to 30 minutes after that.
