Alabama Softball Hangs on for 5-4 Win over Duke

Thanks to a two-run home run from Ashley Prange and seven innings from Montana Fouts, the Crimson Tide opened the Clearwater Invitational with a win.

It doesn't get more pressure-packed than having the tying runner 60 feet away in the final inning. But as happened many times throughout the career of Montana Fouts, the Alabama pitcher was able to shut the door on the comeback hopes for Duke.

Alabama held on for the 5-4 over the Blue Devils in its first game of the Clearwater Invitational Thursday afternoon. 

Ashley Prange was the hero on offense with two hits and three RBIs, including what would turn out to be the game-winning home run in the second inning. 

The Crimson Tide once again got off to a strong start. Kenleigh Cahalan opened the game with a leadoff double, and Prange singled up the middle to bring her home, giving Alabama the early lead. Alabama tacked on to that lead with RBI hits from Ally Shipman and Jenna Johnson in the first. 

Prange made the Blue Devils pay for an error earlier in the inning and blasted a two-run home run over the centerfield wall to give Alabama the 5-0 lead. It would be the last time Alabama scored. 

After Prange's home run, Duke brought in its ace pitcher Cassidy Curd. Alabama only had one hit for the rest of the game. Its best chance to score again came in the fifth inning after a single from Bailey Dowling and Duke error had two runners on. But a strikeout and popup stranded the runners. 

Fouts got the start in the circle for the Crimson Tide. She retired the first eight batters of the game before a two-out single in the top of the third. Fouts threw a complete game, allowing four earned runs on six hits with eight strikeouts. 

Kelly Torres was the thorn in Fouts' side Thursday afternoon. Torres was responsible for three of Duke's four runs on two home runs. She had a two-run blast in the fourth to get the Blue Devils on the board and added a solo home run in the sixth to cut the Alabama lead to two runs. 

A leadoff double, wild pitch and sac fly in the final inning pulled Duke (3-3) within one run, but a groundout to shortstop ended the game and allowed the Crimson Tide (3-1) to open the tournament with a win. 

Next up, Alabama will face No. 2 UCLA Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. The game will be on ESPN2. 

See also:

Alabama Viewer's Guide to First Full Weekend of Spring Sports

Why Alabama Softball Isn't Discouraged After Rough Start

Alabama Swimmer Rhyan White Still has Something to Prove