Bailey Dowling's Bat Leads Alabama Softball to 6-2 Win at Samford

The junior had four RBIs to help keep the Crimson Tide's record perfect in midweek games.

Katie Windham | Apr 11, 2023

Alabama Athletics

For just the second time this season, Bailey Dowling started in the field at second base. And despite spending most of the season as the designated hitter, this didn't seem to affect her hitting ability at all.

Dowling went 2-4 with four RBIs, including a bases-clearing double in the second inning to blow the game open on the way to No. 14 Alabama's 6-2 win over Samford Tuesday night.

It marked the most runs scored by the Crimson Tide since it scored 12 runs in a run-rule win over UAB on March 22. Alabama had been averaging 3.1 runs per game over its last nine games heading into the matchup with Samford.

Dowling got the scoring started in the first inning with an RBI-single to right. Larissa Preuitt tagged on an RBI-groundout to give Alabama the early 2-0 lead in the first. The Bulldogs responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning off Alabama starter Lauren Esman. She was relieved by Alex Salter after facing a little bit of trouble to start the second inning.

The big blow was Dowling's 3-RBI double in the second inning. It gave Alabama the 6-1 lead, and the Bulldogs could never get back in the game. However, that would be the last time Alabama would score in the game.

Because the Crimson Tide was able to build up such a large lead in the second inning, head coach Patrick Murphy was able to give a lot of players opportunities in the field, at the plate, in the circle and along the base paths.

Salter was solid in relief, only allowing three hits and one run over four innings after coming in with two runners on and no outs in the second. Jaala Torrence came in to pitch in the sixth inning and did not allow a run over the final two innings.

Alabama improves to 29-12 on the season and now looks ahead to a three-game SEC series at Mississippi State over the weekend.

Brittany Davis Drafted No. 36 Overall by Las Vegas Aces

2023 NFL Draft Profile: Alabama Tight End Cameron Latu

Published Apr 11, 2023

KATIE WINDHAM

Katie Windham is the assistant editor for BamaCentral, primarily covering football, basketball gymnastics and softball. She is a two-time graduate of the University of Alabama and has covered a variety of Crimson Tide athletics since 2019 for outlets like The Tuscaloosa News, The Crimson White and the Associated Press before joining BamaCentral full time in 2021. Windham has covered College Football Playoff games, the Women's College World Series, NCAA March Madness, SEC Tournaments and championships in multiple sports.