Alabama Softball Slugs Way to Doubleheader Sweep in Home Opener

On the opening day of the Bama Bash, the Crimson Tide knocked three home runs to beat St. Thomas and Virginia.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Behind strong outings in the circle, three home runs and another big day at the plate from Abby Duchscherer, No. 11 Alabama easily handled business in the opening day of the Bama Bash with a doubleheader sweep.

The Crimson Tide beat St. Thomas 7-3 in Game 1, and then turned around to beat Virginia 3-1 in the second game of the doubleheader Friday evening at Rhoads Stadium.

Kayla Beaver continued her impressive start to the season with an efficient outing in the start against Virginia. She needed just 88 pitches for the complete game against the Cavaliers.Beaver's only trouble came in the seventh inning after two singles and an error allowed Virginia to score an unearned run. 

Lauren Esman hit the first home run of her Alabama career in the first inning to give the Crimson Tide the early 2-0 lead. The Virginia pitching staff kept the Alabama offense pretty off balance after the opening frame, but Jenna Johnson scored after her second double of the game on an RBI-single from Duchscherer to give Beaver a little insurance.

Esman also had two doubles and two more RBIs in the first game of Friday's doubleheader. Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said Alabama gives out the lineup card after the game to the best offensive player, and Esman got it in both games. 

"One thing that's been helping me a lot is we've been practicing visualization," Esman said. "I feel like getting in that zone mentally a couple of batters before my at-bat has really helped me get in that mental space of just being calm, staying present and taking the at-bat pitch by pitch and not really worrying about the result."

In Game 1, Alabama was once again led by Duchscherer, who finished 3-for-4 with an RBI in the game and now leads Alabama with 12 hits and a .481 batting average on the season. 

"I think you're really starting to see some confidence brewing in her, and that's what we need," Murphy said. "If you're going to be the three-spot at Alabama, you've got to be the most competitive, confident and consistent hitter on the team. And so far, she has been."

Riley Valentine got the scoring started at Rhoads with a leadoff home run in the second inning. Two batters later, Kali Heivilin hit an inside-the-park to put Alabama up 3-0. Murphy said there was no hesitation in sending Heivilin once he saw the ball bounce off the wall in right field. 

Alea Johnson got the start in the circle, but struggled with her command, allowing four walks in 3.1 innings pitched. She also gave up a three-run home run to St. Thomas’ Ella Cook in the third inning.

Alabama answered right back in the fourth inning with four runs. Back-to-back doubles from Esman and Duchscherer brought in three runs, and the final run scored on an error.

Jaala Torrence came in and was dominant in relief. Torrence was unhittable and nearly untouchable to the Tommies. She didn’t allow a hit or baserunner in 3.2 innings of relief with nine strikeouts. The senior pitcher struck out the side in the fifth and sixth innings.

"Jaala Torrence in the first game was unreal," Murphy said. "That might have been as good as Regionals last year."

Alabama improves to 7-0 on the season and will be back in Rhoads Stadium for another doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.

How it happened...

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Game 2 FINAL : Alabama 3,  Virginia 1

Top 7

• Ground ball to Cahalan ends it. Alabama wins. 

• A flyout to right field goes for the second out. Both Virginia runners tag, and Alabama had a really good chance to get the runner at second and to end the game. Instead, Cahalan can't control the ball, and the runner at third comes in to score Virginia's first run. Alabama 3, Virginia 1
• Lance McMahon calls for a timeout in the circle after Beaver falls behind the batter 2-0. 

• Another single from the Cavaliers gives them runners on first and second with one out. 

• Beaver gets the lead runner at second on a ground ball. One out. 

• Leadoff single for Virginia. 

• Alabama needs three outs, and this game will be over. 

END 6: Alabama 3, Virginia 0

Bottom 6

• Three up, three down for Alabama in the sixth. 

• Heivilin, Giles and Broadfoot due up for the Crimson Tide. Third time Heivilin has led off an inning in this game.

MID 6: Alabama 3, Virginia 0

Top 6

• Dowling erases the mistake with a doubleheader to end the half inning. 

• Beaver makes an athletic play in the circle to get the lead runner at second. One out.

• Dowling runs in front of Cahalan trying to field a ground ball, and it distracts Cahalan from making the play. The error gives Virginia a leadoff baserunner. 

END 5: Alabama 3, Virginia 0

Bottom 5

• Dowling pops up to strand the runner, but Alabama tacks on one run in the fifth.

• A nice play by the UVA third baseman gets Esman out. Pate moves to second on the ground ball.

• Kinley Pate enters to pinch run for Duchscherer. 

• Virginia will make another pitching change. Senior RHP Madison Harris enters for the Cavaliers. 

• Duchscherer bloops one into shallow right field for an RBI-single. Alabama 3, Virginia 0

• Jenna tags up to third on a fly ball from Cahalan. 

• Jenna rips one over the third base bag for her second double of the game. 

• Top of the lineup due up for the Crimson Tide. Let's see if they can put some runs on the board for the first time since the first inning. Alabama has just three hits through four innings. 

MID 5: Alabama 2, Virginia 0

Top 5

• Popup ends the frame. Another 1-2-3 inning for Beaver in the circle. 

• Heivilin makes a diving stop of her own for the second out. 

• Beaver opens the fifth with her sixth strikeout of the game. 

END 4: Alabama 2, Virginia 0

Bottom 4

• Diving stop by the Virginia second baseman robs Lauren of an RBI and keeps Alabama off the board in the fourth. 

• A fielder's choice moves Giles to third with two outs. 

• Giles picks up her first hit of the season with a double off the glove of the rightfielder. 

• Heivilin lines out to short. Alabama has had a lot of hard-hit balls in this game, most of them have just been right at Virginia defenders. 

• Heivilin, Giles and Broadfoot due up for Alabama in the fourth. 

MID 4: Alabama 2, Virginia 0

Top 4

• Beaver retires the side on five pitches in the fourth. 

END 3: Alabama 2, Virginia 0

Bottom 3

• Three up, three down for Alabama at the plate in the third. 

MID 3: Alabama 2, Virginia 0

Top 3

• Beaver gets a K looking to strand the runners and keep Virginia off the board. 

• A fielder's choice up the middle has runners on first and third with two outs. 

• Beaver gives up a walk to Virginia's nine-hole hitter. Two on with one out

• Boggs bloops a one-out single into shallow center for the Cavaliers. 

END 2: Alabama 2, Virginia 0

Bottom 2

• Cahalan works it to a 3-0 count, but hits a weak fly ball to right field for the final out. Alabama can't add on in the second inning. 

• Jenna also walks, and now the bases are loaded with two outs for Cahalan. 

• UVA makes a change in the circle. Lane exits, and freshman Julia Cuozzo enters. Jenna Johnson is at the plate for Alabama. 

• Lauren Johnson walks, and Alabama has two on with two outs. 

• A fielder's choice moves Giles into scoring position with two outs. 

• Giles gives Alabama a one-out baserunner with a HBP. 

• Heivilin, Giles and Broadfoot due up for Alabama. 

MID 2: Alabama 2, Virginia 0

Top 2

• Three up, three down for the Hoos in the second. Beaver strikes out two more. 

END 1: Alabama 2, Virginia 0

Bottom 1- Alabama batting

• Dowling puts a charge in one, but it's right to the centerfielder for the final out. 

• Esman cranks one over the centerfield wall for her first home run of the season. Alabama 2, Virginia 0

• Duchscherer chases a pitch way outside for the second out. It's going to come down to Esman to see if Alabama can get on the board in the first inning. 

• Cahalan hits one hard and high out to left field, but it is caught. Jenna tags to third with one out. 

• Leadoff standup double for Jenna. She finds the right/center gap, which has been a popular spot for Alabama hitters today. 

• Jenna Johnson, Kenleigh Cahalan, and Abby Duchscherer due up for the Crimson Tide. 

MID 1: Alabama 0, Virginia 0

Top 1- UVA batting

• The next batter flies out on the first pitch. Side retired. 

• Heivilin makes a diving attempt in shallow right field, but the ball pops out of her glove when she hits the ground. Virgina reaches with a two-out single.

• Groundout goes for the second out. Beaver threw 72 on the pitch. 

• Beaver hits 70 mph on the radar gun for her first strikeout of the game. 

• First pitch from Kayla Beaver is a strike, and this game is underway. 

Game 2 Starting Lineups

• First pitch is set for 6:33 p.m.

• Emma Broadfoot was honored for her senior day in between games.

• Today's umpires: Chris Nabors behind home plate, Susan Eads at first base and Phillip Freels at third base

FINAL Game 1: Alabama 7, St. Thomas 3

Top 7

• Fittingly, a strikeout ends the game. Alabama wins.
• Torrence's eighth strikeout of the game goes for out No. 2

• Fly ball on the first pitch. One out. 

END 6: Alabama 7, St. Thomas 3

Bottom 6

• Valentine pops out on the first pitch. This game will head to the seventh. 

• KJ Haney enters to pinch hit for Clark. Johnson is caught stealing at second, and Haney grounds out. Two outs.  

• Leadoff single for Duchscherer, her third hit of the game. Lauren Johnson comes in to run for Duchscherer. 

MID 6: Alabama 7, St. Thomas 3

Top 6

• Torrence strikes out the side in the sixth. Make that six straight strikeouts for Jaala. 

• These St. Thomas hitters have no answer for Torrence. Her speed is completely blowing them away. 

END 5: Alabama 7, St. Thomas 3

Bottom 5

• Two flyouts end the inning. Alabama can't add on in the fifth.

• Preuitt draws a walk to put two runners on with one out for the top of the lineup. 

• Grill bloops a one-out single into shallow center. 

• Heivilin, Grill and Preuitt due up for Alabama. 

MID 5: Alabama 7, St. Thomas 3

Top 5

• Torrence stays in the circle for the Crimson Tide, and she strikes out the side in the fifth. She has struck four of the five batters she's faced. 

END 4: Alabama 7, St. Thomas 3

Bottom 4

• Two popups end the inning, but Alabama sends eight to the plate in the fourth, scoring four runs. 

• Clark lays down a nearly perfect bunt for an infield single, and a throwing error allows another Alabama runner to score. Alabama 7, St. Thomas 3

• St. Thomas will make a pitching change. Morgan Klein enters in the circle. 

• Duchscherer doubles off the top of the left field wall for her team-leading 10th hit of the season. Esman comes in to score. Alabama 6, St. Thomas 3 

• Esman doubles over the rightfielder's head and brings in two runs. Alabama 5, St. Thomas 3
• That was Esman's second double of the game. 

• Cahalan singles through the right side to put runners on the corners with one out. 

• Leadoff walk for Grill, and she moves to second on a sac bunt from Preuitt. 

MID 4: Alabama 3, St. Thomas 3

Top 4

• Heivilin makes a nice play up the middle for the final out of the half inning. 

• Torrence strikes out the first batter she faces. Two outs. 

• Johnson throws a one-out walk, and we will have a pitching change. Jaala Torrence enters for the Crimson Tide.

END 3: Alabama 3, St. Thomas 3

Bottom 3

• Heivilin lines out to centerfield, and Alabama strands the bases loaded. 

• Broadfoot battles through a long at-bat to draw her second walk of the game. Heivlin steps to the plate with the bases loaded. 

• Both runners move into scoring position on a wild pitch. 

• Valentine draws a two-out walk. Alabama has runners on first and second with Broadfoot coming to the plate. 

• Leadoff double for Esman. 

MID 3: Alabama 3, St. Thomas 3

Top 3

• A lineout ends the half inning. 

• Error by Broadfoot at third gives St. Thomas a two-out baserunner. After having only one error all of opening weekend, Alabama has its second of the inning. 

• Ella Cook cranks one over the right field wall for a three-run HR to tie the game. Alabama 3, St. Thomas 3

• Big swinging strikeout on the changeup gets the second out of the inning. 

• A walk puts runners on first and second with one out. 

• Throwing error from Cahalan allows a runner to reach with one out. 

• Johnson finally retires the first batter of an inning. She does so with her third strikeout of the game. 

END 2: Alabama 3, St. Thomas 0

Bottom 2

• Preuitt draws a one-out walk to turn it back over to the top of the lineup. She steals second on the first pitch, but she is called out for leaving early. 

• Grill grounds back to the pitcher for the first out. 

• Inside-the-park home run for Heivilin off the right/center wall. The ball hit the gap and kept rolling back toward the dirt past the outfielders, and Murphy kept waving her all the way around. Alabama 3, St. Thomas 0

INSIDE THE PARK🤯@kheivilin03

📺SECN+ | https://t.co/x9JnntefeJ#Team28 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/RpkHY8ArXN

— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) February 16, 2024

• Broadfoot draws a walk on her senior day. Kinley Pate comes in to pinch run for Broadfoot and steals second. 

• Leadoff home run for Riley Valentine. Alabama 1, St. Thomas 0

• Valentine, Broadfoot and Heivilin due up for Alabama in the B2.

MID 2: Alabama 0, St. Thomas 0

Top 2

• Johnson works around another leadoff walk with a strikeout, lineout and flyout. 

END 1: Alabama 0, St. Thomas 0

Bottom 1: Alabama batting

• Clark puts a charge in one, but it is caught at the warning track in left/center. She just got a little underneath it. 

• Duchscherer continues her hot start to the season with a two-out single through the left side. 

• Kenleigh Cahalan, Lauren Esman and Abby Duchsherer due up for the Crimson Tide. 

MID 1: Alabama 0, St. Thomas 0

Top 1- St. Thomas Batting

• A flyout to deep left center retires the side, and Johnson gets out of the jam. 

• Johnson gets a swinging strikeout for the second out. Runners still on second and third. 

• The runner takes second easily, and now the Tommies have two in scoring position with just one out. 

• A hard single through the left side puts runners on the corners with one out for St. Thomas.

• Sacrifice bunt gets the first out, but moves the runner into scoring position. 

• Leadoff walk from Johnson. She threw four straight balls after the first-pitch strike. 

• The first pitch from Alea Johnson is a strike, and this game is underway. 

Game 1 Starting Lineups

• Patrick Murphy is employing a unique lineup to start out the Bama Bash. I would expect we will see the benches cleared this weekend. 

Pregame

• Kristen White is in leggings, so it looks like she will not be playing today. Patrick Murphy had said she was hopeful she might be able to play this weekend. 

• St. Thomas beats Southern Indiana 5-0, so the Alabama game should start pretty close to on time. Announced start time is 4:07 p.m.

Lauren Johnson Earns First SEC Weekly Honor