Alabama Softball: Crimson Tide Records 23rd Shutout Against Southern Miss

Alabama Softball (37-9) recorded their 23rd shutout of the season as they defeated the Southern Miss Golden Eagles 2-0 at Rhoads stadium on Wednesday Night.

Alabama Softball returned to Tuscaloosa for a midweek showdown with their old friends the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. The Crimson Tide used an imposing defense and precise pitching to record a 2-0 victory as well as their 23rd shutout of the year. Alabama needs 3 more shutouts to tie its single-season record.

Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy decided to start sophomore Madi Moore (aka the Denier) for her seventh start of the season. She went 6.1 innings and allowed only three hits while recording her fourth shutout of the season. Due to her amazing performance his season, that is how she earned the nickname “the Denier”.

"Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy told rolltide.com, “We wanted to give Madi a shot. She’s done well. Back-to-back shutouts, we’ll take that all day long. She follows the lead of Sydney [Littlejohn] and Alexis [Osorio]. It’s been our key to success all year. Our pitchers always give us a good shot to win, and Madi did that tonight.”"

Alabama Softball was impressive on the defensive side as well but the offense still failed to put points on the board. The Crimson Tide left 9 runners on base and at one point had the bases loaded in the bottom of the third but grounded out to end the inning.

As Alabama Softball prepares for the final part of the regular season and turns their sites towards the postseason, there are three questions on everyone’s mind:

1. Can Alabama find some hitting power?
The coaching and the players are there but it now looks as if the Crimson Tide is putting too much pressure on themselves to produce. If the players can relax and focus on their mechanics then the rest will take care of itself.

2. How does Alabama Softball’s RPI affect them for the Playoffs?
The RPI is the system that the NCAA uses to rank a team based off of their wins, losses and strength of schedule. The Crimson Tide currently ranks 14th in the RPI Standings out of 295 teams and is the 6th SEC team in the rankings behind Florida (1st), Auburn (2nd), Texas A&M (5th), Tennessee (9th) and LSU (12th).

3. Will Alabama be able to raise their RPI?
Alabama Softball will have a chance to increase their RPI as they play both the #9 Washington Huskies (4th in the RPI) and their in-state rivals the #7 Auburn Tigers (2nd in the RPI).

Next: Compare the Softball Pitching Staffs From the Past

The Crimson Tide will host the #9 Washington Huskies on Friday, April 21 at 6:00 PM and Saturday, April 22 at 4:30 PM. It’s time for Alabama Softball to do what the tide always does: rise to the challenge.