Freshmen Lead Alabama Softball in Doubleheader Sweep

TUSCALOOSA (Ala.) — Although there wasn’t a lot of offense against North Alabama or Alcorn State, it was not a bad game.

Thanks in large part to strong performances from Jaala Torrence and Lexi Kilfoyl in the circle, the No. The 2 Crimson Tide defeated North Alabama 6-1 in game 1 and Alcorn State 4-0 at Rhoads Stadium in game 2.

With conference action paused, Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy was free to experiment with different lineups during the doubleheader. With a Texas A&M series looming, most of Alabama’s regular starters were allowed to rest for one or both games.

” This late in the year, when you get to see everybody, and everyone gets at-bats is awesome, because it’s going to be a lot of these people down to the stretch,” Murphy stated. “And if they don’t get me to play them now, I won’t know what they can do.” “

All six true freshmen from Alabama got at least one start in the two games. Megan Bloodworth, an infielder for the Crimson Tide is a regular starter, but she once more showed her power in game one, hitting a three-run homer against North Alabama in the first inning. This was her seventh home run of the year. She added another RBI with a sac fly to the second. Bloodworth is now second on the team with 27 RBIs.

Kail Sheivin hit the first home run of the Crimson Tide’s career, a shot to deep centre to start the second inning. This gave Alabama a 4-0 lead. Murphy said she had over 70 home runs in her high school career, and she does it for the Tide in practice every day.

“That was an excellent feeling for sure,” Heivilin stated. “I’ve struggled a lot lately to go in there with confidence knowing that I can do this out of high school. I honestly couldn’t tell why, but I’ve been working hard. It was a great feeling to be able to score my first home run. “

Overall, Alabama struggled at the plate in the doubleheader. While they only struck out six times and were making contact with the ball, it only resulted in 10 hits. Only one of Alabama’s four runs in game two against Alcorn State came on an RBI. It was a bases-loaded walk to Jordan Stephens.

” We were swinging at a good pitch, but we didn’t hit it or we flew out, or whatever,” Murphy stated. “We had some good shots, but it doesn’t matter who’s out there, I expect more offensively from them. “

Alabama managed business in the circle. Torrence was responding from her rough outing against Mississippi State, where she gave away five runs in just one innings pitching. She also pitched four shutout innings against the Lions before Kilfoyl came into the bullpen to relieve Torrence.

Kilfoyl started game two against Alcorn State. She didn’t pitch this weekend against Mississippi State. She threw five complete innings and allowed only one hit with nine strikeouts. Salter relieved Kilfoyl and did not allow any runs with three strikeouts in her two innings.

“Everybody who got in did great,” Stephens said. “Salty had a great weekend last weekend, so it’s nice to see her again pitch well. Jaala pitched very well in the first game and didn’t concede any runs. As usual, Lexi is spot on. “

With the two wins, Alabama improves to 38-6 on the season and will travel to Texas A&M for a three-game series beginning Friday. This is a big weekend for us,” Murphy stated. “We still have a lot to play for. It’s something that I believe our team is aware of, and it’s important for us. We’re going to take it one at a time, and do our best. “