No. 7 Alabama Softball Defeats Samford 3-2

The Crimson Tide scored two late runs to give head coach Patrick Murphy his 1,200th career program win.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala — In dramatic fashion, Alabama softball defeated Samford 3-2.

The win gave head coach Patrick Murphy his 1,200th career win at Alabama. He is the ninth coach in NCAA softball history to win 1,200 games at one Division I program.

 Alabama trailed 2-1 at the bottom of the sixth inning when Abby Duchscherer reached base on an illegal pitch and Bailey Dowling hit a single. After Larissa Preuitt replaced Duchscherer as a pinch-runner, Ally Shipman, who pinched-hit for Faith Hensley, hit a single to right field that allowed Preuitt to score from second base.

Aubrey Barnhart and Kristen White both flew out, and freshman Kenleigh Cahalan stepped up to the plate with the score tied 2-2. 

Cahalan singled up the middle and drove Dowling home for what would be the game-winning run.

The Crimson Tide scored three runs on nine hits and had eight errors. Samford scored two runs on one hit with no errors.

Jaala Torrence, who pitched three shutout innings with two strikeouts in relief of Alex Salter, was credited with the win which brings her record to 1-1.

With the win, Alabama improved to 7-2. The Tide will host the Easton Bama Classic, where the first opponent will be Kennesaw State. First pitch is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m. CT.

How it happened...

FINAL - Alabama 3, Samford 2

Alabama stats

Samford Stats

Top 7

• Jaala Torrence allows one walk but closes the inning to win the game for Alabama

• Larissa Preuitt is now in right field, Jenna Johnson in left field and Ally Shipman behind the plate 

Bottom 6 

• Johnson flies out to end the inning

• Samford's Kinley Pate almost had the third out, but could not track the ball and dropped it in foul territory

• Cahalan steals second, Both runners are in scoring position

• Cahalan hits an RBI-single to left center, driving in Dowling. Score is 3-2 Alabama with Jenna Johnson pinch-hitting for Grill

• White hits a short fly to the shortstop for the second out. Kenleigh Cahalan is up to bat

• Barnhart flies out. Kristen White steps up to the plate with two on and one out

• Shipman hits a single to right field and Preuitt scored from second base. Score is tied 2-2 as Barnhart steps to the plate with no outs

• Ally Shipman is pinch-hitting for Hensley. Larissa Preuitt is pinch-running for Duchscherer

• Dowling hits a single to left field. Lainey Baker is in to pitch for Samford

• Duchscherer is walked because of an illegal pitch. Dowling is up to bat

• Abby Duchscherer leads off for Alabama

Top 6

• Another 1-2-3 inning for Torrence

• Ansley Yantis leads off for Samford

Bottom 5

• Giles strikes out to end the inning

• Prange stole second

• Prange is walked. Marlie Giles to bat with two outs and runners on the corners

• Grill uses a sacrifice bunt to advance White to third base. Ashley Prange is up to bat

• Kenleigh Cahalan flies out to short. Grill up to bat

• White steals second

• Jordyn Partain is in to to pitch for Samford

• White lays down a bunt and two Samford players collide trying to get the ball. White reaches first base on a single

• Kristen White will lead off for Alabama

Top 5

• Torrence has a 1-2-3 inning, including two strikeouts

• Jaala Torrence relieves Alex Salter

Bottom 4

• Barnhart flies out to second base to end the inning

• Hensley is out on the fielder's choice. Dowling advances to third and Aubrey Barnhart will bat with two outs

• Dowling hits an RBI-double, making the score 2-1 Samford with Faith Hensley at the plate

• Duchscherer advances on a wild pitch

• Duchscherer hits a single to left field. Bailey Dowling will take her second at-bat

• Giles grounds out on a short roller back to the pitcher. Abby Duchscherer is up to bat

• Marlie Giles leads off for Alabama

Top 4

• Samford's Logan Champion reaches base on an error by Cahalan, driving in two runs. Another throwing error by Kristen White allows Champion to advance to second. Score is 2-0 Samford.

• Cahalan snags a line drive for the second out of the inning

• Samford's Abigail Dorsett steals second without a throw.

• A bad throw from Marlie Giles  allows Yantis to advance to third base. Runners are on the corners with no outs.

• Yantis takes first base after being hit by a pitch.

• Ansley Yantis leads off for Samford

Bottom 3

• It's the first 1-2-3 inning for Samford's Newcomb

• Cahalan strikes out

• Kenleigh Cahalan takes her second at-bat of the game. She was walked the first time

Top 3

• Sarah Squillace grounds out to end the inning

• Alex Salter gives up her first hit after Howe legs out a single

• Kedzie Howe leads off for Samford

Bottom 2 

• Hart beats the throw to first, but Hensley is thrown out trying to score for the final out

• Hensley steals second

• Barnhart flies out. Kristen Hart is at the plate with two outs

• Hensley hits a single past third base. Aubrey Barnhart will take her first at-bat

• Dowling is out after Samford's Kedzie Howe makes a diving catch. Faith Hensley will bat with one out

• Bailey Dowling leads off the bottom half of the inning

Top 2

• Another 1-2-3 inning after a couple solid defensive plays by Alabama

• Salter casually catches a hard hit ball for the first out of the inning

• McKenzie Newcomb leads off for Samford

Bottom 1 (Alabama hitting)

• Duchscherer files out to end the inning

• Cahalan is out a third base on the fielder's choice. Grill is on second and Giles on first with Abby Duchscherer up to bat with two outs

• Prange flies out. Marlie Giles will bat

• Grill lays down a bunt and legs out  a single. Samford's Merrit Cahoon misjudged how fast the ball was coming and couldn't get back to the base in time. Ashley Prange up to bat with one in scoring position

• Cahalan was walked. Kat Grill is in the batter's box now

• Kenleigh Cahalan will lead off for Alabama

Top 1 (Samford hitting)

• A 1-2-3 inning for Alex Salter

• Sarah Squillace leads off for Samford

Pregame

First pitch is scheduled for 6:02 p.m.

• A member of the Alabama gymnastics team threw out the ceremonial first pitch

🆚Samford
📍Tuscaloosa, AL
⏰6 p.m. CT
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— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) February 22, 2023