Feb. 8, 2009

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MOBILE, Ala. - The No. 2/3 ranked Alabama softball team earned two victories Sunday to claim the South Alabama Invitational title. The Crimson Tide opened the day with a five-inning blanking of Jacksonville State, 9-0. UA then posted a 7-1 win over host USA to secure the team championship.

"This was a good start to our season," head coach Patrick Murphy said. "I was very pleased with how our freshmen took advantage of their opportunities. It is always nice to get four wins away from home. We learned a couple of things and look forward to returning home for the BAMA Bash."

Senior Lauren Parker and sophomore Whitney Larsen led the charge on Sunday for Alabama. The tandem each batted .600 (3-for-5) on the day while Larsen paced the team with four RBI and added a home run. Alabama got solid back-to-back pitching performances from Kelsi Dunne and Charlotte Morgan.

Game 1

Behind the bat of sophomore Whitney Larsen and the arm of sophomore Kelsi Dunne the No. 2/3 ranked Alabama softball team blanked Jacksonville State 9-0 in the first of two games on the final day of the South Alabama Invitational Sunday. With the victory, the Crimson Tide improves to 3-0 on the season.

"I thought that was our all around best effort of the tournament," head coach Patrick Murphy said. "We clamped down defensively and were aggressive on the base paths. It was another nice performance by our freshmen."

Larsen was efficient in her two at-bats on the day. The Vestavia Hills native belted a two-run home run in the second and then drove in two more on a single to left in the third. Larsen started the scoring for Alabama by blasting in Kellie Eubanks after a one out walk.

The Crimson Tide plated four runs in the third and added three more in the fourth to run away from the Gamecocks. Alabama banged out nine hits and for the first time of the season returned to its usual form by not committing an error.

Senior Kelley Montalvo batted 1-for-2 with two runs and a RBI. Freshman Jennifer Fenton continued the stellar play by the rookies by belting a two-run triple in the fourth for her only at-bat of the day.

After giving up two hits in the first inning, Dunne could not be touched the rest of the way as the SEC Freshman of the Year struck out 12 to earn the complete game shutout. The 12 Ks ties her second best punch out out-put in her career.

Dunne got out of a bases loaded jam in the first on the help by her backstop Ashley Holcombe. For the second time in the tournament Holcombe picked off a runner on second from her knees. Dunne then struck out five of the next seven batters to sway the momentum back in the favor of the Crimson Tide.

Game 2

The No. 2/3 ranked Alabama softball team defeated South Alabama 7-1 to claim the South Alabama Invitational title. The Crimson Tide swept through the tournament, claiming four wins in the opening weekend of play.

"We were able to take care of mistakes and make things happen," head coach Patrick Murphy said. "We played another game of good defense and Charlotte (Morgan) pitched another great game."

The Crimson Tide wrapped up the team title by banging out 12 hits and plating five runs in the first inning to run away from the host Jaguars. UA took advantage of some early USA mistakes, scoring three runs on a two-out error by the center fielder.

Senior Lauren Parker led the Tide offensively with a 3-for-3 effort. Morgan, Kelley Montalvo and Cassandra Reilly-Boccia collected two hits each with Reilly-Boccia and Montalvo driving in a run apiece.

Morgan earned her second victory of the weekend by tossing six innings, allowing one run on three hits. Morgan fanned three and walked one en route to the win.

Alabama will open its home schedule when it hosts the BAMA Bash. The Crimson Tide will open play against Notre Dame on Friday, Feb. 13 at 5:00 p.m.