The No. 10 Alabama Crimson Tide opened up SEC conference play hosting the No. 13 Florida Gators. Alabama lost the first two games but was able to bounce back on Monday to avoid the sweep.
Two unearned runs made all the difference in a low-scoring pitcher's duel on Saturday afternoon at Rhoads Stadium. Alabama fell to Florida, 2-0, in its conference opener.
Lauren Johnson’s single in the fifth inning was Alabama’s only hit of the game. Kayla Beaver suffered a complete-game loss, striking out eight and limiting Florida to just three hits. Both runs given up by Beaver were unearned.
Sloppy defense once again haunted the Crimson Tide in Sunday’s game against Florida. Alabama fell behind in the first inning, allowing two unearned runs, and they couldn’t recover. Jaala Torrence received the loss for Alabama as she exited the game after just two innings.
Florida tacked on seven runs in the top of the fifth inning to run-rule Alabama 11-2.
"We got in our heads," said Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy. “When you're struggling on defense, the ball always continues to find that one person. It's like a magnet. Unfortunately, that was just an ugly game. That kind of game happens across all sports and tonight was ours."
In the series finale on Monday, Alabama cleaned up the defense, shutting out Florida 3-0 to get their first SEC win of the season and avoid the sweep.
Marlie Giles singled up the middle in the Crimson Tide’s half of the first inning to knock in Jenna Johnson and give Alabama a 1-0 lead. Bailey Dowling hit a home run in the fourth inning to give Alabama a little more breathing room. In the sixth inning, Kenleigh Cahalan drove in Alabama’s third and final run with a single to center field.
Kayla Beaver recorded her eighth win of the season with a complete-game shutout allowing five hits and striking out five batters.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
