Alabama Softball Splits Games to Open Crimson Classic

No. 8 Alabama blasts last UT Arlington, but takes 2-1 loss to No. 7 Arizona

Alabama Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A seventh-inning run projected Arizona to a 2-1 victory as Alabama split its first two games in the Easton Crimson Classic on Friday.  

Sophomore shortstop Skylar Wallace led the Crimson Tide offensively, going 5-for-7 with two doubles, a triple and four runs scored. Junior right fielder KB Sides was 4-for-6 on the day with three runs scored and a team-leading four RBIs. 

"Not getting a key hit was the big thing against Arizona," Crimson Tide coach Patrick Murphy said in a statement. "We had four runners at second base with one out and didn’t get anything after that. She either stayed there or we got a fly out. We just have to get a hit one of those times. We out-him them."

Alabama freshman Lexi Kilfoyl (4-3) took the loss in the pitcher's duel, when the Wildcats were able to manufacture the winning run on a walk, stolen base, ground out to advance the runner and a two-out single by Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza.

Mariah Lopez (8-2) earned the win, as her ERA dropped to 1.05 on the season. She struck out nine and walked one. 

"I thought Lexi did a really good job and I think their kid did too," Murphy added. :It was just a really good PAC-12/SEC matchup, but they got the key two-out hit in the last inning.”

The pitchers combined to throw 52 pitches during the first inning as both teams managed to plate a run. 

Arizona's came on two walks and an error following a single by senior second baseman Reyna Carranco. 

Alabama's was more direct. Wallace lined a one-out triple down the right-field line and was doubled in by Sides.

The teams will play again Saturday at 4 p.m. CT, after Alabama (10-6) faces UT Arlington at 1:30 p.m. 

Alabama 11, UT Arlington 3

The top three batters in the order combined to go 8-for-9 at the plate and scored eight runs as Alabama opened its portion of the Easton Crimson Classic with an 11-3 victory over UT Arlington. 

Sophomore shortstop Skylar Wallace and junior left fielder KB Sides both went 3-for-3 with three runs scored, while senior left fielder Alexis Mack was 2-for-3 with two runs and two stolen bases. 

Alabama took a lead before recording its first out. 

Mack opened the game by extending her hitting streak to six with a bunt-single and stole second, and went to third when the center fielder momentarily lost Wallace's double in the sun. Sides subsequently singled in both runners.

Sides eventually scored on a Maddie Morgan sacrifice fly. 

Sparked by the first career home run by freshman second baseman Savannah Woodard, a two-run shot to right center, Alabama batted around while scoring five runs in the second inning and chased senior left-handed starter JoJo Valencia (2-5).

The Mavericks (7-10) rallied for three unearned runs in third inning following a missed double-play opportunity. Sophomore third baseman Kimber Cortemelia singled in senior shortstop Whitney Walton, a second run scored on a fielder's choice, and pinch-hitter Amber Langston singled in the other. 

Sophomore Montana Fouts (3-2) gave up seven hits and three runs, all unearned. She struck out five and walked none while throwing 97 pitches. Her ERA dropped to 1.93.

Easton Crimson Classic

Friday's results

McNeese 9, UT Arlington 5

Arizona 7, McNeese 2

Alabama 11, UT Arlington 3

Arizona 2, Alabama 1