Mistakes Doom Alabama Crimson Tide Softball at Florida Gators in SEC Showdown

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.

Salen Hawkins picked a pretty good time for her first round-ripper of the season. With two on base in the top of the 4th, she went yard.

A throwing error by the UF pitcher would put Kristen White in scoring position. Vandagriff and Heivilin would both single to make it a tie game. Brooke Ellestad’s walk would load the bases with one out, but the Tide could not take advantage.

Hodges had not pitched in a game since April 4th. She retired the side in the 3rd but ran into big trouble in the 4th. Despite 36 years coaching college softball, Patrick Murphy couldn’t see any issue. Hodges walked the first two batters in the frame. For most coaches, that would be enough. For Murphy’s Gut® , it was two more batters. A single and a double made it 7-4. Emily Winstead came in and it might as well have been Mary Elizabeth Winstead as the Gators teed off on her for two more runs in that inning and three in the 5th. The final run clinched the walk-off win for the Jorts.

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.

It was all donuts on the scoreboard for both teams through five innings. With two outs in the top of 6th, Larissa Preuitt singled and was doubled in by Kali Heivilin. Florida had two doubles and a single in the bottom of the frame to take a 2-1 lead.

It all came down to the final inning and it looked like the Crimson Tide would steal the series. With runners on the corners, suddenly hot Salen Hawkins hit a sac fly to tie it up. Lauren Johnson singled in the go-ahead run.

With three outs to go, Briski walked the first batter she faced in the 7th. Murphy had seen enough and brought in Catelyn Riley. A single and a fielder’s choice tied it up. And then the Gators walked off a second straight game.

NOTES:

• Briski pitched a winnable game. She has been much improved as of late.
• Two errors for Bama. Both led to unearned runs.
• Kenleigh Cahalan went 0 for 2 and left three runners on base.

SERIES NOTES

• This series was similar to the LSU series: one big win, a one-run loss, and a Run Rule defeat. Let’s don’t make this a habit.
• This writer caught a little flak from the Rainbow Lollipop Unicorn Brigade for pointing out the flaws in Alabama’s Game 1 win. I hate to tell them “I told ya so” but here we are. Now the cultist are trying to blame “nEGaTiVe pEOpLE oN SoCiaL meDiA” for the losses.
• Kenleigh Cahalan was hitless in the series, 0 for 8. One run scored, but no RBI or stolen base.
• Too depressed for any more notes.

MVP

UPCOMING ALABAMA SCHEDULE

At this point, I’d bet that Murphy is regretting this midweek Crimson Caravan idea that he has been doing this season.

• Tuesday, Apr 22 at Alabama State 6pm/7pm Montgomery, AL
• Friday, Apr 25 vs Missouri 6pm/7pm Tuscaloosa, AL – Power of Pink Game
• Saturday, Apr 26 vs Missouri 7pm/8pm Tuscaloosa, AL SECN – Alumni Night
• Sunday, Apr 27 vs Missouri 2pm/3pm Tuscaloosa, AL – Final Senior Day

HOW TO WATCH

Only one game on regular TV. The rest are streaming on Uncle Bob’s phone.

UPCOMING

Alabama’s hopes of being a Regional host (top 16 seed) in the NCAA Tournament have taken a bit of a hit. And BELIEVE that the NCAA wants/needs Tuscaloosa in that category. RBR sauces inside the UofA Athletics department have said that the NCAA folks rave about T-town being their favorite place to go. Furthermore, it has cache that draws eyeballs to the screens across the country. Although it looks bleak, it is not out of the realm of possibilities.

The Tide will probably need to sweep last place Mizzou (23-26, 4-14). South Carolina (32-11, 7-8) is still winning but they have cooled off a little. Bama will need to at the very least avoid a sweep. Finally, Alabama will have opportunities to argue their case in the SEC Tournament. One good thing Alabama has going for them is their No. 13 ranking in RPI.

• vs NR Missouri
• at #8/9/12/13 South Carolina
• SEC Tournament (Athens, GA)

#RollTide #Team29