Series Recap: Alabama Softball walks-off to take series over Ole Miss 2-1

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 07: An Alabama fan smiles before the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Sun Life Stadium on January 7, 2013 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 07: An Alabama fan smiles before the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Sun Life Stadium on January 7, 2013 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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After exchanging offensive clinics in the first two games, Alabama knocked a walk-off double against Ole Miss to take the series win in game three. The series win gave Alabama softball a much-needed conference win at home and increased confidence.

To start out the series, Alabama softball was unstoppable early. The win ended up in a 13-1 five-inning decision by run-rule. After that game, Ole Miss hit back with a 10-3 win over Alabama in which the Crimson Tide could get much offense going at all.

After Alabama got crushed in game two, Ole Miss went up quickly 2-0 in game three. It took a Kaylee Tow solo home run in the third and a bases-loaded, walk-off double by Bailey Hemphill to secure the rubber match for the Crimson Tide. It was a huge win and an equally huge confidence boost after giving up the series last weekend in Auburn.

Alabama Going Forward

We saw Alabama’s potential at it’s best and worst during this series. Game one showed how much offensive power Alabama has. Game two gave a glimpse into the holes Alabama has in the defense. The game three win showed how gritty Alabama can be when games are close.

In fact, we’ve been describing Alabama as playing well offensively all season. There just have been games where they have been absolutely cold on the bats.

Alabama offensive punch

This could be one of Alabama’s most potent offenses in recent memory. That mainly has to do with much of the lineup being made of upperclassmen, but it’s not just that the offense is more experienced. For example, freshman Kaylee Tow has 17 RBI and 7 home runs this season. Still, there are still a lot of moments where Alabama has been disappointing, despite its success.

Softball, like baseball, is a hot and cold game. That’s the reason for three-game series. It’s understandable to be occasionally inconsistent during the season. There is some justification for Alabama not being the overwhelming powerhouse they usually are. The tough schedule also has something to do with that as well.

Alabama softball needs a great conference record in order to be successful come postseason. It will be here before you know it. Raise that RPI enough and Alabama will host a regional, possibly a super regional. Alabama has to fight for every win this season in order to even be considered for such privilege.

Next: Alabama Football: Let’s End The Ridiculous Debate of Alabama and UCF

Alabama will travel to Kentucky next weekend for a three-game series in Lexington. Friday’s game will be at 5 pm, Saturday’s at 4 pm and Sunday at 12 pm. The game Saturday will be broadcast on ESPN2, while the others will be on WatchESPN and SEC Network+.