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Alabama Softball Splits Ugly Doubleheader Against South Carolina

By Chris Dodson

Sep 11, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; A general view of first base plate during the fourth inning between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; A general view of first base plate during the fourth inning between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alabama Softball managed to get the series win 2-1 over South Carolina after splitting a doubleheader. However, Alabama fell in game two as their pitching could not get together and the batting was erratic. Game two showed when Alabama is bad, they can be ugly bad.

It was a Jekyll and Hyde Sunday for Alabama Softball. The Tide fell to the South Carolina Gamecocks 14-0 and won 5-2 in the closing game of the weekend series. Despite some struggles, Senior Sydney Littlejohn got the two wins of the weekend. Littlejohn’s record is now11-1.

Madi Moore and Alexis Osorio played in game two. Osorio got the loss and that brought her record to 16-2. The biggest takeaway coming out of the USC series is…

How Bad Can Alabama Get?

We don’t mean this question to be harsh or suggest Alabama is always bad. We intend just the opposite. Alabama has played dominating softball and looked unstoppable at times this season. That especially goes for the pitching game.

That is especially true for the pitching game, which we compared to the pitching staffs of the past five years. Alabama softball is a very dangerous team and looks extremely good in most situations.

But there is a problem. When Alabama has shown its bad side, it’s almost like an overnight transformation.

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This loss against South Carolina exposed the Crimson Tide’s weaknesses: batting. Alabama softball got a total of two base hits against USC. The Tide was swinging at pitches way outside the box and being too aggressive in its at-bats. Many times this season the batting has been lackluster.

This weekend, batting wasn’t the only problem. Pitching in game two was not as precise as Alabama expects. Osorio started the game and was not her usual, strikeout-throwing self. She gave up four runs before being replaced by Madi Moore.

It got worse each inning after, especially in the top of the seventh. South Carolina got insurance run after insurance run and looked like it would not stop.

The point is when Alabama performs badly on the field, it shows an ugly side. The 14 runs given up are the most given up by Alabama softball since Texas A&M in April 2016.  That runs allowed stat is tied for second in Alabama history (behind Florida in 2011.)

It’s not like the losses are close. Three of the four losses this season were by 7 runs or more and three were shutouts.

Schedule Only Gets Harder

Alabama has a date with Kent State on Tuesday (6:00 PM, SECN+) followed by an away series against Missouri. After a date with Lipscomb the following midweek, Alabama has a tough series against 11th-ranked LSU. Alabama has out-of-conference Washington and Auburn left on their schedule, who are both currently ranked in the Top 10.

Alabama will need to shape up and stay consistent to prove themselves contenders for the SEC and the WCWS. How the Tide performs on the road against Missouri, who were 2-1 this weekend, will be pivotal.

Next: Alabama Basketball: SEC Hoops Smash Hit In Big Dance

After the weekend series, Alabama softball is now 30-4 and 7-2 in SEC play. Check in with us through Twitter or Facebook and let us know your thoughts on Alabama softball.

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