April 23, 2008

Box Score

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The No. 1 Alabama softball team extended its winning streak to 25 games on Wednesday night with wins over Birmingham Southern and Samford in front of 2,089 fans at the Alabama Softball Complex.

The Tide won the opener from BSC, 9-1, in five innings before taking the nightcap against Samford, 7-1.

The 25-game winning streak is tied for the second-longest streak in school history. The Crimson Tide improved to 46-3 on the season headed into their off weekend. UA travels to Chicago on Tuesday, April 29, for a doubleheader against Northwestern and DePaul.

Birmingham Southern falls to 30-23 on the year while Samford slips to 18-26.

"We were able to experiment with the lineup a little bit tonight, and I was excited to see how everyone played," Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said. "Tonight it was fun to pick and choose and get everyone in the games at some point."

Game 1: Alabama 9, Birmingham Southern 1
Top-ranked Alabama scored early and often in a 9-1 win over Birmingham Southern in the opening game of a twilight doubleheader at the Alabama Softball Complex on Wednesday afternoon.

Chrissy Owens (13-0) pitched a complete-game with five strikeouts in the circle. The Panthers managed the first run against the Tide pitching staff in 38 innings in the top of the fifth as the only hit Owens allowed scored on a two-out throwing error by Alex Blewitt at third base.

Whitney Larsen started in center field and went 3 for 4 at the top of the lineup with a home run, two runs scored and two RBI. Dani Woods, Charlotte Morgan and Katie Johnson chipped in with two hits each.

Game 2: Alabama 7, Samford 1
Kelsi Dunne mowed down Samford and Kelley Montalvo drove in two runs in the nightcap of the doubleheader as the Crimson Tide rolled to a 7-1 win.

Dunne allowed just two hits and fanned seven in her 13th complete game of the season. She improved to 19-3 on the year, allowing just one run on a solo home run by Katie England in the fourth inning.

Alabama got on the scoreboard first on Jordan Praytor's RBI single through the left side in the first inning. Brittany Rogers led off with a bunt single and then swiped second base - her 50th steal of the season - ahead of Praytor's well-placed single.

Montalvo singled home her two runs in the third inning to put the Tide on top 3-0. Alabama put a three-spot on the scoreboard in the fourth inning on RBI singles from Ashley Holcombe and Cat Dozier.

Praytor closed out the Tide's scoring in the fifth inning with a triple in the right-field corner. An errant throw by the Samford right fielder on the play allowed Praytor to round the bases and score.

Praytor and Rogers paced Alabama's 10-hit attack with two hits each while Morgan added her 17th double of the season.