An Opponent Finally Scores, but Alabama Softball Defeats Western Michigan 3-1
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The dominant pitching continued for Alabama as the Crimson Tide defeated Western Michigan 3-1 Tuesday evening at Rhoads Stadium.
The run scored by the Broncos was the first by an opponent in seven games. The shutout streak ended at 43.0 innings, going back to the seventh inning against Kennesaw State on Feb. 26.
"I really was pleased with Jaala Torrence's start," Crimson Tide head coach Patrick Murphy said. "I thought her velocity was good. Ashley Prange made two hellacious plays behind her that took away hits. It was a fun game."
Torrence only gave up one hit, a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning, en route to her fifth victory of the season.
"I felt really good," Torrence said. " The defense was amazing, they had my back. And the offense did their thing."
Early on it looked like Torrence would accomplish another perfect game for Alabama, and a huge part of that was because of two stellar defensive plays by Ashley Prange at third base. The first one was a leaping grab in the second inning, then catching a hard line drive in the fourth.
"I was hype," Torrence said. "I was all for it. Love to see that."
The perfect game came to an end when Torrence was charged with an error on a ball hit back to the circle. But the defense responded with a double play almost immediately.
"In softball you don't see too many double plays," Murphy said. "When you get one, it's a huge rally killer."
Offensively, Alabama scored two runs in the bottom of the first, but was quiet for most of the game. And when Hayley Boxwell hit the home run for Western Michigan, the score became 2-1 and Torrence was relieved by Montana Fouts.
The Crimson Tide responded again, however. With a runner on and two outs, pinch-hitter Lauren Esman hit a single up the middle to give Alabama the insurance run.
Murphy praised Esman for stepping up in the moment after essentially coming into the game cold.
"It's a tough thing to do, to pinch-hit," Murphy said. "To get off the bench, pick up a bat and get an RBI is pretty dang cool. Kudos to her."
After that, Fouts struck out the side to end the game.
Even though Torrence did not get another no-hitter or a perfect game, it was still a great outing. And when Murphy was asked if the pressure of previous performances could be a factor, he quickly said no.
"The number one thing is just 'give us a chance to win'," Murphy said. "Whatever that might look like, just give us a chance to win until we score."
Torrence also understood that, being aware that a great day doesn't only mean achieving those feats.
"We don't have to live up to that," Torrence. "We just have to go out, do our best and throw our stuff."
After a successful homestand that saw Alabama win its last seven games in a row, the Crimson Tide will hit the road. And Murphy is confident the momentum will travel.
"I think everybody's at a really confident level, especially the pitchers" Murphy said. "When the pitchers are confident, there should be some really, really good games."
Alabama's first road game won't be far from home as the Crimson Tide will take on the UAB Blazers. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on Wednesday.
**Keep refreshing the page for live updates, stats and analysis of Alabama's matchup against Western Michigan.
FINAL - Alabama 3, Western Michigan 1
Top 7
- Fouts strikes out the side to end the game
- Addison Hudson will lead off for Western Michigan
Bottom 6
- Preuitt flies out to end the inning
- Larissa Preuitt will pinch-hit for Johnson
- Esman hits a single up the middle. Broadfoot is able to score, then Esman advances to second on the throw home
- Broadfoot hits a double to deep right field. Lauren Esman will pinch-hit for Heivilin
- Hensley grounds out. Broadfoot will bat with two outs
- Shipman strikes out swinging. Faith Hensley will pinch-hit for for Stephens
- Ally Shipman will lead off for Alabama
Top 6
- Montana Fouts come to relieve Torrence. No runners on and two outs in the inning
- Boxwell hits a home run over the left field wall. Score is 2-1 Alabama
- Haley Boxwell leads off for Western Michigan
- Kristen White is in center field. Jenna Johnson moves to left field
Bottom 5
- Dowling flies out to end the inning
- White is out at third base on the fielder's choice. Dowling is up to bat with two outs
- Cahalan is walked. Prange with bat with two on and one out
- White steals second base
- Kristen White comes in to pinch-run for Grill
- Grill hits a single up the middle after a 10-pitch at-bat. Kenleigh Cahalan will bat with one on and one out
- Johnson grounds out. Kat Grill will take her second at-bat of the game
- Jenna Johnson will lead off for Alabama
Top 5
- Rissa Bajusz flies out to end the inning
- Alabama turns a double play after the error
- Torrence couldn't secure the ball hit to her. Runner reaches on the error
- Courtney Parrish leads off for Western Michigan
Bottom 4
- Heivilin was thrown out on the bunt attempt to end the inning
- strikes out swinging for the second out. Kali Heivilin will bat
- Stephens flies out. Emma Broadfoot to the plate
- Jordan Stephens will lead off for Alabama
Top 4
- Torrence gets her second strikeout of the game to end the inning
- Prange makes another good defensive play for the second out
- Heivilin bobbled the groundball at first, but recovered in time to get the first out of the inning
Bottom 3
- Shipman pops out to end the inning
- Dowling couldn't hold her check swing and is out. Shipman is up to bat
- Prange strikes out swinging for the first out of the inning. Dowling steps to the plate
- Cahalan is walked. Prange steps to the plate
- Kenleigh Cahalan will take her second at-bat of the game
Top 3
- Torrence strikes out the last batter for another 1-2-3 inning
- Kat Grill tracks the ball down in foul territory for the first out
- Haley Boxwell leads off for Western Michigan
Bottom 2
- Heivilin gets tagged out on the fielder's choice to end the inning
- Johnson flies out to left field. Kat Grill will bat with one on and two outs
- Heivilin steals second
- After being down in the count, Heivilin earns a walk. Jenna Johnson will take her first at-bat
- Broadfoot grounds out. Kali Heivilin steps to the plate
- Emma Broadfoot leads off for Alabama
Top 2
- Another 1-2-3 inning for Torrence
- Courtney Farrish leads off for Western Michigan
Bottom 1 (Alabama Hitting)
- Stephens strikes out to end the inning
- Dowling was caught in between third base and home. She was tagged out at home.
- Ally Shipman hits a sacrifice fly to bring Prange home. Dowling advances to third base. Score is 2-0 Alabama with one out. Jordan Stephens at the plate
- The right fielder couldn't hold on to the ball, allowing Dowling to reach first base safely and Prange to make it all the way to third. Dowling then advanced to second on the throw to third base
- Prange hits the ball just over the outstretched glove of the second baseman. Cahalan scores from second. Score is 1-0 Alabama with Bailey Dowling to bat
- Cahalan hits a double to right center field. Ashley Prange to bat
- Kenleigh Cahalan will lead off for Alabama
Top 1 (Western Michigan Hitting)
- A 1-2-3 first inning for Torrence
- Jaala Torrence throws the first pitch and the game is underway
Pregame
First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT
