Photo by rolltide.com
Alabama softball has done what it has usually done this season: win. Though locked in a pitching duel for the majority of the game, Bama managed three hits to defeat Georgia in Thursday's quarterfinal game of the 2015 SEC Tournament 2-1 in Baton, Rouge, Louisiana.
Neither Alabama (42-11) nor Georgia (40-14) were able to score more than one run in any inning of the game as a result of excellent pitching by both teams. Alexis Osorio (17-7) started for the Tide. She allowed only one unearned run on two hits with 12 strikeouts.
Crimson Tide head softball coach Patrick Murphy said, "I thought Alexis was awesome, Every time Georgia swings, we hold our breath. Pitching a two-hitter with 12 strikeouts doesn't happen very often against them. The three keys in postseason softball are defense, starting pitching and key hits. Marisa Runyon got the key hit when we needed it most."
Speaking of Runyon, she was responsible for bringing in both of the Tide's runs, hitting a first inning sacrifice fly to bring in the first run, then a well-timed RBI single in inning number six that drove in the go-ahead run. This victory now makes 16 straight opening-game wins at the SEC Tournament, stretching back to 2000.
Credit must be given to Georgia starting pitcher Brittany Gray (14-6). She pitched the entire game allowing only two runs on three hits. Her biggest problem was no offensive fire-power to give her a little help. The Dogs managed to only get a runner on base three times the entire game. A Tide fielding error gave Georgia their lone run in the fourth inning.
The Crimson Tide advances to Friday's semifinal round. Bama faces second-seed Auburn (47-9) at 2 PM CDT. The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Women's Tennis
The University of Alabama Crimson Tide women's tennis team (17-7) has been selected at the No. 13 seed in the 2015 NCAA Women's Tennis Championship. In addition, Bama will host the first and second rounds for the fourth consecutive year.
Bama starts with the Samford Bulldogs, with a 4 PM CDT start on Friday. Bama will then meet the winner of the Clemson/South Alabama match. The winners of Bama's matchup and the Clemson/South Alabama match will meet in the second round on Saturday, May 9 at 1 PM CDT. The winner of that match will advance to the round of 16 hosted by Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
Alabama head coach Jenny Mainz commented, "We are really excited to be hosting this weekend. It is a privilege to play in front of our fans, and I think we've worked really hard to earn the right to play in front of our home crowd. We have to play Alabama-style tennis because when we do that we are very effective. We are really excited."
This will be Bama's 14th appearance in the NCAA tournament for the Alabama women's tennis team. Coach Mainz has headed up the team in 12 of the 14. Mainz has led the Lady Tide to six consecutive NCAA Tournaments from 2001-2006. They were able to return in 2009, and after two years away has returned for five consecutive appearances since 2011.
Alabama looks to advance to the round of 16 for only the third time in the history of the program.
Live scoring will be provided on rolltide.com.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Football Commitment
Tuscaloosa County High School head football coach Lee Gibson has confirmed that quarterback Seth Franks will be joining the University of Alabama Crimson Tide as a preferred walk on this next season.
While Franks had received a scholarship offer from Jacksonville State (according to Rivals), and others, to play for them, he has decided on UA.
The 6'1", 170-pound two star prospect pass for just over 2,000 yards last season. He tossed 20 touchdown passes with only four interceptions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Women's Golf
The first round of the NCAA Raleigh Golf Tournament is in the books, and the Alabama women's golf team ends round one in fifth place. On Thursday the Crimson Tide shot a 6-over par 294 at the par-72, 6,381 Lonnie Poole Golf Club.
Second-seed LSU leads the regional tourney at even par, followed by host North Carolina State at second with a 2-over par 290. Ohio State is third with a 4-over par 292, followed by Campbell in fourth place with a 5-over 293, and Bama rounding out the top five with that 6-over 294.
Alabama women's golf head coach Mic Potter said, "We jumped out to a big lead and gave ourselves a cushion, and it is a good thing because we did not finish very well. The wind picked up on the backside, and we had a little trouble with that ... and we had a little trouble putting. We have to play the best we can on every shot the next two days and not let the bad one affect us. We got a little emotionally out of our comfort zone today and the key to a tournament like this is maintain your composure."
Bama junior Emma Talley enters the second round today tied for third place after shooting a 2-under-par 70. Talley made birdies on the first and fourth holes and closed with 14 straight pars.
Potter praised Talley saying, "Emma is a really good ball-striker and she doesn't make any mistakes with her long game. She also has a fairly flat trajectory, so the wind doesn't bother her as much. Her putting has improved tremendously, and she holed several 6- to 7-foot putts for par. To go bogey free out here is pretty good and it shows she is hitting a lot of greens, and her short game is up to where she wants it."
The top-six finishers at the NCAA Raleigh Regional advances to the NCAA Championships at The Concession Golf Club on May 22-27 in Bradenton, Florida. These six will join the teams that advance from the NCAA South Bend, Indiana; San Antonio, Texas; and St. George, Utah Regionals.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you, to all readers. Just want you to know that you are appreciated.
Football Commitment
Tuscaloosa County High School head football coach Lee Gibson has confirmed that quarterback Seth Franks will be joining the University of Alabama Crimson Tide as a preferred walk on this next season.
While Franks had received a scholarship offer from Jacksonville State (according to Rivals), and others, to play for them, he has decided on UA.
The 6'1", 170-pound two star prospect pass for just over 2,000 yards last season. He tossed 20 touchdown passes with only four interceptions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Women's Golf
The first round of the NCAA Raleigh Golf Tournament is in the books, and the Alabama women's golf team ends round one in fifth place. On Thursday the Crimson Tide shot a 6-over par 294 at the par-72, 6,381 Lonnie Poole Golf Club.
Second-seed LSU leads the regional tourney at even par, followed by host North Carolina State at second with a 2-over par 290. Ohio State is third with a 4-over par 292, followed by Campbell in fourth place with a 5-over 293, and Bama rounding out the top five with that 6-over 294.
Alabama women's golf head coach Mic Potter said, "We jumped out to a big lead and gave ourselves a cushion, and it is a good thing because we did not finish very well. The wind picked up on the backside, and we had a little trouble with that ... and we had a little trouble putting. We have to play the best we can on every shot the next two days and not let the bad one affect us. We got a little emotionally out of our comfort zone today and the key to a tournament like this is maintain your composure."
Bama junior Emma Talley enters the second round today tied for third place after shooting a 2-under-par 70. Talley made birdies on the first and fourth holes and closed with 14 straight pars.
Potter praised Talley saying, "Emma is a really good ball-striker and she doesn't make any mistakes with her long game. She also has a fairly flat trajectory, so the wind doesn't bother her as much. Her putting has improved tremendously, and she holed several 6- to 7-foot putts for par. To go bogey free out here is pretty good and it shows she is hitting a lot of greens, and her short game is up to where she wants it."
The top-six finishers at the NCAA Raleigh Regional advances to the NCAA Championships at The Concession Golf Club on May 22-27 in Bradenton, Florida. These six will join the teams that advance from the NCAA South Bend, Indiana; San Antonio, Texas; and St. George, Utah Regionals.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you, to all readers. Just want you to know that you are appreciated.
