No. 5 Georgia Softball Blasts Three Homers to Run-Rule No. 14 Alabama

Georgia strikes early and gets eight hits off four Bama pitchers to take 2-0 series lead.

The Alabama softball team isn't having much fun with this weekend's road trip to Athens, Georgia. It hasn't been a fun two weeks, actually.

No. 14 Alabama lost to No. 5 Georgia in five innings Saturday, 11-3. It lost Friday's series opener to the Bulldogs 4-2.

Alabama has dropped five of its last eight games, four against ranked opponents, and sits at 1-4 in SEC play. Alabama (21-5, 1-4 SEC) faces the Bulldogs ( in the third game of the series on Sunday.

The Crimson Tide went up against a hot-hitting Georgia team Saturday. The Bulldogs, who lead the SEC with 48 home runs, belted three homers en route to the run-rule win.

Jayda Kearney, who leads the league with 12 home runs, got the Bulldogs on the board in the first inning with a two-run shot.

Sara Moseley belted a grand slam in the second inning and Alabama was quickly down 6-0. Sydney Kuma hit a solo homer in the fifth.

Alabama used four pitchers with Jaala Torrence getting the start. She went just 1 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on two hits with two walks. 

Alabama's other pitchers, Jocelyn Briski, Alea Johnson and Alex Salter didn't fare much better. Briski gave up two runs on one hit with a walk, Johnson allowed three runs on two hits and a walk and Salter gave up two runs on three hits with a walk.

Alabama pitchers issued five walks, including two leadoff walks.

Georgia's Lilli Backles kept Alabama hitters flustered for most of the day. She struck out seven, allowed four hits, and allowed three runs.

Alabama caught two breaks to score its three runs. Former Alabama player Dallis Goodnight lost two fly balls in the sun and both fell for hits.Alabama scored one run on the first misplayed ball in the fourth inning, and two runs on the second misplayed ball in the fifth.

Abby Duchscherer led Alabama with two hits, Kenleigh Cahalan and Riley Valentine had the other Crimson Tide hits.

Game Summary

FINAL SCORE: Georgia 11, Alabama 3

Bottom 5

Dallis Goodnight walks it off with a two-run single to right field. Georgia wins 11-3

• Bases loaded after a hit by pitch. 

• Two singles give Georgia two baserunners. One out

• Another pitching change as Alea Johnson exits and Alex Salter enters. She's pitched just 3 2/3 innings this season.

• Third home run of the day for Georgia as Sydney Kuma blasts a solo shot to left field to lead off the inning. Georgia on top 9-3

Middle 5: Georgia 8, Alabama 3

Top 5

• Alabama strands the bases loaded, but gets two runs.

• Bases loaded again as Bailey Dowling hit by a pitch. Two outs

• Goodnight loses the ball in the sun again, Duchscherer gets credit for a single and two runs score. Georgia lead cut to 8-3.

• Georgia challenged the hit by pitch. Ruling is confirmed.

• Jenna Johnson takes the first pitch to the elbow. Bases loaded with no outs. Golden opportunity.

• Two runners on as Lauren Johnson reaches on a fielder's choice.

• Alabama's Valentine singles to lead off the inning.

End 4: Georgia 8, Alabama 1

Bottom 4

• Mosley, who hit a grand slam in the second, comes within a foot of hitting a three-run shot. Instead, it's a sac fly. Georgia leads 8-1.

• RBI single by Davis makes it 7-1 Georgia lead. Runners on second and third. Davis has reached base in all three at-bats.

• Another walk has runners at first and second with one out.

• Leadoff walk for Georgia. That's four walks issued by Alabama pitchers today. It's also the third time the Bulldogs have gotten the leadoff hitter on base.

• Briski exits for Alabama and Alea Johnson enters the circle for Alabama.

Middle 4: Georgia 6, Alabama 1

Top 4

• It's ruled a double for Cahalan, not an error.

• Bama catches a break as Dallis Goodnight fails to catch a fly ball. Duchscherer comes in to score for the Tide. 6-1 Georgia.

• Duchscherer leads off the inning with Alabama's first hit of the game.

End 3: Georgia 6, Alabama 0

Bottom 3

• A much-needed 1-2-3 inning for Alabama.

Middle 3: Georgia 6, Alabama 0

Top 3

• Alabama goes down 1-2-3. Crimson Tide still without a hit.

End 2: Georgia 6, Alabama 0

Bottom 2

• That homer gives Georgia 47 for the season.

• Georgia's Sara Mosley blasts a grand slam to right field. Georgia on top 6-0

• Bases loaded with another walk. That's three this inning.

• Jocelyn Briski comes in for Alabama to replace Torrence in the circle. Torrence allows two runs on two hits with two walks in 1 2/3 innings.

• Torrence battling. She gets back-to-back popups for two outs.

• Back-to-back walks. Not a good start to the inning for Torrence. 

• Ellie Armistead with a leadoff walk. She has reached base four straight times in the series.

Middle 2: Georgia 2, Alabama 0

Top 2

• Two runners left on base for Alabama. Looking like a repeat from Friday night.

• Kendal Clark with a walk and Alabama has runners on first and second with two outs. 10-pitch at-bat for Clark.

• Marlie Giles gets things started for Alabama with a leadoff walk.

End 1: Georgia 2, Alabama 0

Bottom 1

• Jenna Johnson makes the catch in center at the warning track. Georgia's bats are popping. The Bulldogs lead the SEC with 46 homers.

• Just like that it's 2-0. Jayda Kearney blasts a two-run homer to right field. It's her 12th home run of the season, Georgia 2-0.

• Georgia leads off the inning with a single.

Top 1

A 1-2-3 inning. Alabama goes down quickly.

Starting lineups