Lauren Esman Complete-Game Shutout Leads Alabama Softball to Win over Robert Morris

The transfer pitcher had a career-high nine strikeouts and threw seven innings for the first time.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama's pitching staff had a heart-to-heart with pitching coach Lance McMahon after last weekend, and it paid off in the Crimson Tide's opening game of the T-Mobile Crimson Classic. 

Lauren Esman threw her first seven-inning complete game, striking out a career-high nine batters in the 4-0 shutout win over Robert Morris at Rhoads Stadium Friday night. (She had a complete game against Indiana in Clearwater, but because it was a run-rule win, she only threw five innings.)

"Nine strikeouts and a shutout, I don’t care who it’s against in Division 1 softball," Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said after the game. "The offense has taken over if you look across the country, and to get a shutout is a great feat. And we’ll take it."

After the game, Esman said she didn't even realize it was already the seventh inning when she went out into the circle for the last time because of the new mindset her and the other pitchers have been working on. 

"Something that clicked for me was just thinking of every inning as a new game," Esman said. "And when I thought of it that way and went out there and did it, the game just flew by. I really didn't even know what inning I was in, and it kept me really fresh mentally and physically.”

One thing that also helped Esman was Alabama getting on the board first. Murphy has placed a big emphasis on passing the bat down in innings so far this season, and while it did not last long for the Crimson Tide Friday night, it got off to a good start. 

A two-out rally in the first inning started with a HBP from Ally Shipman and walk to Bailey Dowling. Both runners came in to score on a single up the middle from sophomore Jordan Stephens and an error from the Robert Morris defense. 

Stephens said she stepped into the box with a "let’s make something happen" mentality, and it gave Alabama the early 2-0 lead. 

"Scoring first is just big," Stephens said. "In any game, it really sets the tone, and I was very happy to be able to do that."

Alabama also scored on a leadoff triple from Heivilin in the next inning. She scored on the play thanks to another error from the Colonials' defense. The Crimson Tide tacked on one more run in the third with a leadoff home run from Ashley Prange to make it 4-0. It was Prange's team-leading sixth home run of the season. 

The team was originally supposed to play a doubleheader Friday, but because of bad weather earlier in the day, Alabama only played on game. The Crimson Tide will rematch against against Robert Morris Saturday at 11 a.m. followed by a game against the Longwood Lancers. 

How it happened...

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Top 7

FINAL SCORE: Alabama 4, Robert Morris 0

• Esman allows a one-out single, but that is all in the seventh. She also picks up two more strikeouts to finish with nine. 

• The Colonials down to their final three outs. Esman still in the circle with exactly 100 pitches thrown. 

Bottom 6

END 6: Alabama 4, Robert Morris 0

• A popup ends the inning. Even though two runners reached, it still ended up being a three up, three down inning for the Tide. 

• White steals second and is initially called safe. The play is under review. After review, White is out. Only the second time this year an Alabama runner has been caught stealing.

• Kristen White enters to pinch run for Johnson at first. 

• Abby Duchscherer will pinch hit for Heivilin with one out. 

• Johnson draws a walk. 

• Leadoff infield single for Stephens, but she is called out a few pitches later for leaving early. 

Top 6

MID 6: Alabama 4, Robert Morris 0

• 1-2-3 inning for Esman with back to back strikeouts to close the frame. She's now up to a career high in strikeouts (7) and innings pitched.
• Alabama makes a change in the field heading into the sixth. Larissa Preuitt enters in right field for Grill. 

Bottom 5

END 5: Alabama 4, Robert Morris 0

• Three up, three down for the Tide in the fifth. 

Top 5

MID 5: Alabama 4, Robert Morris 0

• Batter pops out on the first pitch for the final out of the inning.
• Esman tires a career high with five innings pitched. 

• One-out walk, and the runner moves to second on a fielder's choice. Two outs. 

Bottom 4

END 4: Alabama 4, Robert Morris 0

• A nice play by the second baseman robs Cahalan of a hit. Inning over. First time this game Alabama hasn't scored in an inning. 

• Bloop single from Grill gives Alabama a two-out baserunner for the top of the lineup. Grill steals second to move into scoring position. 

Top 4

MID 4: Alabama 4, Robert Morris 0

• A popup ends the inning. 

• Two-out single for the Colonials.

Bottom 3

END 3: Alabama 4, Robert Morris 0

• Nothing doing for Alabama after the single. 

• Shipman singles on the first pitch she sees.

• Prange blasts one over the left/center wall for her team-leading sixth home run of the year. Alabama 4, Robert Morris 0

Top 3

MID 3: Alabama 3, Robert Morris 0

• The side is retired with a groundout.  Colonials scoreless through three. 

• The runner moves to second on a sac bunt. 

• Robert Morris gets a one-out baserunner with a bunt single. 

Bottom 2

END 2: Alabama 3, Robert Morris 0

• Three quick outs after the leadoff triple.

• Leadoff triple for Heivilin, but she comes all the way in to score on an error. Alabama 3, Robert Morris 0

Gotta go fast🏃‍♀️

📺SECN+ | https://t.co/VRfu2wWe7s#Team27 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/y5cM9zUBvs

— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) March 4, 2023

Top 2

MID 2: Alabama 2, Robert Morris 0

• 1-2-3 inning for Esman with two strikeouts. 

Bottom 1- Alabama batting

END 1: Alabama 2, Robert Morris 0

• Johnson hits one hard up the middle, but the shortstop reads it just right and throws her out for the final out. 

• Stephens singles up the middle, and both runners come in to score thanks to an error. Stephens advances to second on the error. Alabama 2, Robert Morris 0

• Dowling draws a walk to put two on with two outs.

• Shipman is hit by a pitch for Alabama's first baserunner, and she steals second on the first pitch. 

• Nice snag by the third basemen to rob Cahalan of a leadoff hit. 

Top 1- Robert Morris batting

MID 1: Alabama 0, Robert Morris 0

• After review, Giles throws out the runner at third for the final out of the inning.

• Strikeout goes for out No. 2

• Bloop single puts two on with one out.

• The leadoff runner is erased for leaving early, but the next batter gets walked. One on, one out.

• First batter reaches on an error. 

Starting lineups:

Pregame

• 6:15 p.m.- Robert Morris beats Mercer 6-3. Alabama and Robert Morris will play in approximately 30 minutes. 

• The Mercer/Robert Morris game is currently in the top of the seventh inning with RMU holding a 4-3 lead.

• Alabama is wearing the all-white uniforms with the Crimson script "Bama"