Mistakes Doom Alabama Softball at Florida
The Crimson Tide drops 2 of 3 in Gainesville.
The Crimson Tide got off to a rousing start, scoring seven runs in the first inning in Game 1 against the Gators. It was all downhill from there. After some inspiring game management last weekend against Oklahoma, Bama coach Patrick Murphy fell back into some bad old habits.
GAME 1: ALABAMA 7, FLORIDA 4
Audrey Vandagriff was the star on offense. The pitching was rather meh. A complete rundown of Game 1 is in link above.
GAME 2: FLORIDA 12, ALABAMA 4 (Run Rule – 5 Inn)
Though this game lasted only five innings, the Tide left runners on base in every inning. This whole series seemed reminiscent of last season when Team28 would have one big offensive inning and then put the bats on ice.
The second batter of the game for UF put her team up 1-0 on a solo homer off starter Catelyn Riley
That dinger reminded me of a scene from Bull Durham.
The 2nd inning began with a Kali Heivilin error and ended with the Gators leading 4-0. Riley would give up a walk, double and a single before Brayla Hodges relieved her. Sensing blood in the water, Florida coach Tim Walton did what good coaches do: pounce. With runners on the corners, he called for a double steal on the first pitch. The Tide threw out the runner at second but the Gator at third practically walked home to make it a four run deficit.
NOTES:
Former Bama player Kenleigh Cahalan was 0 of 3 but scored a run.
Lauren Johnson did not play for whatever reason. I suppose Murphy saw Larissa Preuitt’s big puppy dog eyes before filling out his batting order card.
Bama pitching struck out only two Gators.
Abby Duchscherer and Kristen White both left three runners on base.
GAME 3: FLORIDA 4, ALABAMA 3
With Jocelyn Briski in the circle, the Tide offense could not do much of anything to support her strong performance. It wasn’t until two outs in the 4th inning when Alexis Pupillo was the first Bama runner to reach base when she singled.
