No. 5 Alabama Takes Series Opener Over No. 7 Florida
A total of 2,609 fans, the second largest crowd in program history, poured into the Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium to watch the Top 10 Southeastern Conference matchup.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The seventh-ranked Florida softball team fell in the series opening game, 8-3, to No. 5 Alabama Saturday afternoon at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. A total of 2,609 fans, the second largest crowd in program history, poured into the stadium to watch the Top 10 Southeastern Conference matchup.
The Gators (30-8, 7-6 SEC) and the Crimson Tide (32-5, 9-4 SEC) both went scoreless in the first frame of action as starters Elizabeth Hightower (10-3) and Alabama’s Montana Fouts (16-2) worked three up and three down innings.
Hightower struck out the side for the third time this season, while Fouts fanned two and forced a groundout to start the game.
Alabama however made the adjustment to the All-American caliber pitching first as they struck for two runs in the 2nd inning to take an early 2-0 lead on Jenna Lord’s double down the left field line. The squad from Tuscaloosa extended their lead to 7-0 in the top of the 3rd inning via a two-RBI single from Kaylee Tow, a two-RBI double by Lord and an RBI single by Dallis Goodnight.
Hightower would be relieved by sophomore Hayley Pittman towards the end of the 3rd inning. Pittman held the Crimson Tide to four hits and no runs allowed over the 2.0 innings of work in the circle.
During that time the Gators mounted a comeback as redshirt-junior Skylar Wallace sparked a three-run rally in the bottom of the 4th inning to close the lead down to 7-3. Wallace drew a four-pitch walk and maneuvered her way into scoring position via her 33rd stolen base of the year.
Fifth year Hannah Adams followed up with a full-count walk, which set the table for Charla Echols’ RBI single up the middle that scored the speedy Wallace from second base. Freshman Reagan Walsh kept the inning rolling with her double to right center field that slid under the diving grab of Alabama’s right fielder and scored Adams from third.
Later in the inning with the bases loaded, sophomore Katie Kistler capped the scoring for the Gators as she sent an RBI single through the left side that plated pinch-runner Christina Wellen.
Alabama went on to score only one more run over the final four innings of play as a bases loaded walk in the top of the 6th inning scored an unearned run that pushed the lead out to 8-3.
Florida looks to even the series against Alabama Sunday at 4 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2.
Notables:
* Reagan Walsh extended her hitting streak to a career-high seven games dropping an RBI double into right center field in the 4th inning.
* The hit also extended her base streak to seven games.
* The freshman leads the team with nine doubles.
* Skylar Wallace improved her hitting streak to five games drilling a single up the middle in the 5th inning.
* The Woodstock, Ga. native swiped her 33rd stolen base in the 4th following her leadoff walk.
* The hit also extended her base streak to seven games.
* Katie Kistler extended her base streak to four games via an RBI single through the left side in the 4th inning.
* The sophomore has driven in a run in two consecutive SEC games and improved her season total to 10 RBI.
* Hannah Adams improved her base streak to six games by working two walks.
* This marked the third time the fifth year has walked two times in a single game.
* Haley Pittman tossed 2.0 shutout innings in relief halting the Alabama offense in the 3rd and 4th inning.
* The Montgomery, Ala. Native stretched her scoreless inning streak to 8.1 innings with the appearance.
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