Alabama Crimson Tide: Saturday was tough day for Bama women
By Ronald Evans
Saturday was not a good day for Alabama Crimson Tide women athletes. It was made worse because it was so unexpected.
Alabama Crimson Tide Women’s Golf
Going back to Friday, the Alabama Crimson Tide women’s golf team did well in the 24-team NCAA Tournament, first round of stroke play. How it did well was a surprise. The Tide women were accustomed to being led by Polly Mack.
To get to the national tournament, Alabama finished No. 2 in the NCAA Regional at Franklin, TN. The Tide team finished the Regional at 8-under par, led by Mack’s 12-under for the event.
On Friday in Scottsdale, AZ, Mack was uncharacteristically 5-over, posting a 77. The Tide team was at 10-over after the first round, putting them in a tie for eighth position in the field. Freshman Isabella van der Biest saved the day for the Tide on Friday with an even-par round.
Eight of the 24 teams advance to match play after four rounds of stroke play.
Saturday in Scottsdale was close to a disaster. The Crimson Tide women were 28-over on Saturday. Three Tide golfers carded scores of 81. The day was made more bizarre when van der Biest scored a double-bogey on the 17th hole after a penalty for hitting an opponent’s ball from the fairway. The team’s best score on Saturday came from Angelica Moresco who shot a 75.
With two more rounds of stroke play, it is close to impossible for the Crimson Tide to move on to match play on Tuesday. After Saturday’s round, Alabama is tied for 23rd in the field (last) at 38-over par. Arizona State and USC are tied for 8th place at 16-over par.
Complete team scores are here.
Alabama Softball
Saturday afternoon the Tide’s 45-game winning streak in NCAA Regional games ended. Stanford beat Alabama 6-0. The Crimson Tide managed just two hits, both singles.
Stanford scored three runs in the first inning and were never challenged. Montana Fouts took the loss for the Tide, her seventh this season, along with 23 wins. She gave up seven hits and five earned runs.
Fouts had to leave the game in the sixth inning when she was hit in the face by a thrown ball. Tide catcher Ally Shipman threw the ball, trying to stop Stanford from stealing a base.
Saturday night in a must-win, Alabama beat Chattanooga with a lead off home run to start the game.
https://twitter.com/AlabamaSB/status/1528193526038769666
The Crimson Tide beat Chattanooga 6-2. Sunday morning at 10:00 AM CST, Alabama will take on Stanford again. Alabama must beat Stanford twice on Sunday to win the Regional.