Alabama Softball Uses Faith to Sweep Doubleheader at Bama Bash

Faith Hensley celebrates her senior day in grand fashion with two home runs and four RBIs in wins against Indiana State, Southeastern Louisiana.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — When you're looking for a spark, sometimes you just need Faith.

Not the normal kind. The Crimson Tide has always had that. We're talking about Faith Hensley, a graduate student transfer from Ball State. She's been with the team for just a few months, but her impact has been huge.

She was big on Saturday at the Bama Bash at Rhoads Stadium as Alabama swept a doubleheader with a 14-4 five-inning win against Indiana State and a 11-0 five-inning win against Southeastern Louisiana.

Hensley, who was honored before the tournament for her senior day, totaled three hits, including two home runs, with four RBIs and she reached base on six of her seven trips to the plate.

"That might be the best senior day we've ever had," Alabama coach Patrick Murphy said. "Every day is Faith Day from now on."

Hensley homered in her first at-bat of the day, a two-run shot to center field. The ball ticked off the glove of Indiana State center fielder Olivia Patton and over the wall for Hensley's first homer of the year.

"She knew it was my senior day and wanted to be nice to me," Hensley said jokingly afterward.

Hensley has adapted quickly to her new team and role with the Crimson Tide. She made her seventh and eighth start Saturday, where she made her biggest impact.

"It's easy to go up to the plate when you are energized by the people around you," Hensley said. "The love and support today that was flowing through my coaches and teammates and everyone involved with this program was incredible."

Her second homer of the day, a solo shot to right field, was a no-doubter. For the day, she also walked twice, reached base via hit-by-pitch and also had a single.

It was a big day for Alabama and multi-home runs. Kenleigh Cahalan hit a three-run, inside-the-park home run (her second of the year) against Indiana State and crushed a two-run shot over the  right-field wall against SLU. 

Also hitting homers Saturday was Ally Shipman, Marlie Giles and Bailey Dowling. That's seven home runs in 10 innings, which accounted for 15 of the Crimson Tide's 24 total runs.

"I have to credit (pitching coach Ryan Iamurri)," Hensley said. "We really have worked on pitch selection. I think we all had elite pitch selection today, Also, mudita (feeling joy in success of others) is so real. When all of us are up there screaming for each other...it energizes us and gives us confidence."

Montana Fouts earned the shutout win against SLU, pitching four innings with five hits allowed and nine strikeouts. Jaala Torrence got the Game 1 win against Indiana State. She pitched two innings of relief and gave up two hits. Alex Salter was the starter, allowing four runs in two innings.

Alabama (11-2) closes out the Bama Bash on Sunday with a 1 p.m. game against Kennesaw State.