Feb. 19, 2009

BYU Box Score

Oregon Box Score

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. - Behind the bat and arm of California native Charlotte and some timely hitting by the Crimson Tide the No. 1 ranked Alabama softball team swept its two games to open the Cathedral City Classic. Alabama opened The Classic with a 6-0 win over BYU and then downed Oregon 5-0 in the night cap. After the day the Tide earned its fifth straight shutout and improve to 10-0 on the season.

"We were able to get timely hits when we needed them," head coach Patrick Murphy said. "We played great defense and the pitched well. Charlotte put together a great day at the plate and in the circle for us."

With the two wins by way of shutout Alabama now has strung together five in a row. The program record is six set in 2004. Alabama started the streak in the BAMA Bash by defeating Notre Dame 10-0 on Feb. 14.

Whitney Larsen and Kelley Montalvo led Alabama at the plate by putting each putting together a .500 day at the plate. Charlotte Morgan earned a win and smacked a home run while five different players drove in two runs for the Tide.

Game 1

The No. 1 ranked Alabama softball team opened the Cathedral City Classic with a 6-0 victory over BYU (6-6) Thursday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. The Crimson Tide was once again efficient at the plate, scoring six runs on five hits to secure its ninth straight victory.

The Crimson Tide opened the scoring in the first frame when Brittany Rogers set the table with an infield single and a prompt stolen base. Rogers then moved to third on a ground out by Cassandra Reilly-Boccia and was brought in on a sacrifice fly by senior Kelley Montalvo.

With Rogers on once again junior Charlotte Morgan took advantage. In her return to her home state of California, Morgan blasted her second home run of the season on a shot to left field.

Alabama added a three-spot in the fifth when senior Lauren Parker drilled a line drive to left that got away from the BYU outfield to plate three runs. Freshmen Jennifer Fenton, Lisa Elizondo and Montalvo scored on the play.

Sophomore hurler Kelsi Dunne went the distance to improve her record to 4-0 on the season. Dunne scattered five hits and struck out nine and did not allow an earned run for the fourth straight game to earn the win.

Rogers led Alabama at the plate in her return to the diamond with a 2-for-3 effort. Parker batted 1-for-3 with two RBI and Morgan was 1-for-1 with two RBI.

The Crimson Tide will continue play against Oregon at 8:00 p.m. CT. Alabama will only play one game tomorrow as it will face UCLA at 10:00 p.m. CT at Fenway Park.

Game 2

The No. 1 ranked Alabama softball team defeated Oregon 5-0 Thursday night to put a close to opening day of the Cathedral City Classic. Alabama junior pitcher Charlotte Morgan put together a stellar performance in the circle, holding the Ducks (5-7) to two hits en route to a complete game shutout. With the win, the Crimson Tide improves to 10-0 on the season and posts its fifth straight shutout.

Alabama got on the board in the top of the second when the timely hitting came through. With two outs in the frame, the Crimson Tide collected four straight hits that was capped off by a two-run single up the middle by senior Ashley Holcombe.

The Tide then put three on the board in the sixth inning to add more than enough insurance for Morgan. Senior Kelley Montalvo started the scoring by bringing in freshman Jennifer Fenton on a single through the left side. Sophomore Whitney Larsen then capped of the frame by driving in two on a lost pop up in the lights behind second base.

Morgan earned her fourth victory on the season on the strength of six strikeouts and only one walk. The Ducks could not muster a hit until the sixth inning. At the plate Alabama was led by Larsen and her two RBI. Senior Holcombe also drove in two runs while Montalvo brought in one. Alabama will face UCLA tomorrow at 10:00 p.m. CT at Fenway Park.