Alabama Softball Wins Season Opener, But Can't Hold Big Lead in Game 2

No. 1 Crimson Tide splits first two games as it opens season at Florida State's Joanne Graf Classic

Alabama Athletics

The University of Alabama softball team won its season opener with a 5-2 victory over North Carolina in the Joanne Graf Classic at Florida State on Friday.

However, No. 8 Florida State overcame a six-run deficit to defeat the Crimson Tide, 8-7, in extra innings in the nightcap.

Defense was an issue in both games as the Crimson Tide was credited with a combined seven errors. 

“Alexis Kilfoyl and Montana Fouts gave us two really great starts against two really good teams," Crimson Tide coach Patrick Murphy said in a statement. "Unfortunately we couldn’t hang on in the second game. We’ve got to be much better defensively all the way around.

"It was great to see Alexis Mack and Savannah Woodard get their first base hits as members of the Crimson Tide.”

Kilfoyl (1-0) made the initial start and notched her first career win in the opener. The freshman gave up five hits and two runs in five innings, with seven strikeouts and two walks. 

Kaylee Tow went 2-for-4 as the top four batters in the order all knocked in a run, and all but one player in the starting lineup had either a hit, run or RBI. 

Sophomore Skylar Wallace, batting leadoff, scored two runs and stole a base. She and senior catcher Bailey Hemphill both drew two walks off of UNC pitcher Hannah George (0-1). 

Sarah Cornell, the 2019 SEC Pitcher of the Year, earned the save by retiring the side in seventh inning, including two strikeouts. 

Alabama jumped out to an early lead against the Seminoles, with senior Taylor Clark adding to it with a two-run home run in the third inning.

The Seminoles went in to the seventh down 7-2, when keyed by a bases-loaded infield single followed by a grand slam by junior Dani Morgan. 

Alabama stranded a runner in scoring position in the top of the eighth and with two on and two out in the bottom half, a single through the right side by sophomore Elizabeth Mason completed the comeback for Florida State.

The teams will face each other again Saturday, with Alabama playing Florida State 2 p.m. CT, followed by UNC.