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Alabama Softball Splits Doubleheader Against No. 18 Louisiana-Lafayette

By Chris Dodson

Sep 6, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A young Alabama Crimson Tide fan watches as her team enters the stadium prior to the game against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A young Alabama Crimson Tide fan watches as her team enters the stadium prior to the game against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a rain-out on Friday, the No. 4 Crimson Tide split a doubleheader against the No.18 Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns on Saturday. Alabama Softball took game one, while ULL nabbed game two.

The first game was another defensive stand for Alabama Softball as they shut out their opponent for the 4th time this season with the 3-0 win. The second game was a different story. Alabama struggled mightily to get run-ruled 11-2 by the Ragin Cajuns.

Game 1 – Alabama 3 Louisiana-Lafayette 0

Junior Peyton Grantham showed off her offensive power early. Grantham knocked a line drive home run through the gap in centerfield to make it 1-0 Alabama. Senior Marissa Runyon almost followed up with a home run of her own but was just inches short.

After a RBI single by freshman Bailey Hemphill took it 2-0 Bama, the Ragin’ Cajuns started to respond. Starting pitcher Sydney Littlejohn struggled for the Tide through the first three innings and in the 3rd inning, the bases were loaded for ULL with two outs. Coach Patrick Murphy decided to go to the bullpen.

Alexis Osorio came in for Littlejohn to pitch. Osorio got Alabama out of the tough jam and kept La-Lafayette from scoring for the rest of the game. Osorio (4-0) closed the game with six strikeouts in 4.1 innings of work. Macey Smith (1-1) earned the loss with one inning of work.

Sophomore Merris Schroder got a leadoff double to start the 4th and got the third on a passed ball. An error by the second baseman sent her home to get the Tide’s final run.

Game 2 – Alabama 2 Louisiana-Lafayette 11

ULL was the team that struck first in this game. Sophomore pitcher Madi Moore (0-1) started the inning very rough with a hit batter and a walk to put two on. Ragin’ Cajun’s DJ Sanders hit an infield single to bring in one run.

After the bases were loaded, Lexie Comeaux hit an infield single to bring in two more runs. A grounder ended the inning, but not before ULL built a 3-0 lead.

In the third inning with runners on 1st and 3rd, Lafayette attempted a double steal. Alabama got the runner out between 1st and 2nd base, but not before ULL scored one at home. It was 4-0 Ragin’ Cajuns going to the 4th.

It would get worse in the 4th. Comeaux knocked a leadoff solo home run on the first pitch from Madi Moore to make it 5-0. Hayley Hayden and Aleah Creighton both got hits after that to bring it to 8-0 ULL.

Just when you thought Alabama was about to be run-ruled in the fifth, it got interesting. Alabama loaded up the bases. Runyon knocked a bases loaded, two-out, 3-2 pitch for a hit to keep the Tide alive with an 8-2 score. Alabama juiced the bases again but was stopped by a strikeout.

It would end in the sixth, however, after Beth Ashley knocked a 3-run home run to end the game via run-rule with a final score of 11-2.

ULL’s Alex Stewart (3-1) got the win with eight hits, two earned runs, and six strikeouts. Madi Moore got the loss with 11 earned runs on 12 hits.

Next: Gymnastics Defeats Auburn Tigers

Alabama and Louisiana-Lafayette will play in the rubber match of the series Sunday at 1:00 PM.

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