No. 2 Alabama softball shows dominance on opening weekend, clobbers No. 9 Arizona
No. 2 Alabama softball had a perfect opening weekend at the Candrea Classic in Tucson, Arizona, picking up two run-rule victories among its four wins.
On Friday, Tide pitcher Jaala Torrence’s nine strikeouts spurred a five-inning, 11-0 victory over Southern Utah. On Saturday, Alabama scored a 5-1 win over Oregon State and an 11-0 rout of No. 9 Arizona in five innings.
On Sunday, redshirt sophomore pitcher's Alex Salter six strikeouts led the Crimson Tide over New Mexico 8-3. Freshman Dallis Goodnight went 2-for-2 with three runs and two RBIs in the finale.
Here are three things we learned:
Thin Arizona air leads to power surge
Alabama softball blasted 10 home runs over the four games, with seven players chipping in. The Crimson Tide outscored opponents 35-4 with 36 hits, including six doubles and three triples.
Before the weekend, Tide outfielder Jenna Johnson predicted the home runs would fly in Tucson. “The air is thin out there and balls will be flying all over the place.”
Megan Bloodworth (3), Ashley Prange (2), Ally Shipman (1), Goodnight (1), Bailey Dowling (1), Abby Doerr (1) and Lexi Kilfoyl (1) accounted for the Tide's 10 home runs.
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Alabama newcomers shine
The Crimson Tide played nine new players during the weekend. Transfers Shipman (Tennessee) and Prange (Ohio State) combined for 11 hits and nine runs with four home runs and 12 RBIs.
Goodnight, a freshman center fielder, and Bloodworth, a freshman second baseman, started all four games for the Crimson Tide, combining to go 11-for-21 (.523 %) four home runs with 10 RBIs and 12 runs.
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Pitching, defense nearly perfect
Alabama coach Patrick Murphy used all four pitchers. The foursome of Torrence, Montana Fouts, Lexi Kilfoyl and Alex Salter combined for 33 strikeouts while allowing just 12 hits. The group allowed four earned runs and one walk.
Fouts, the Tide's ace, pitched against Oregon State, allowing one run one three hits in seven innings.
The Crimson Tide defense committed just one error, and Murphy was able to use all 16 position players during the weekend.
What's next
Alabama will open its home schedule in the Easton Bama Bash at Rhoads Stadium, beginning with a Friday doubleheader against Evansville (1:30 p.m.) and Virginia Tech (immediately after Game 1).
The Crimson Tide also plays a doubleheader Saturday, against Virginia Tech at 1:30 pm. and Middle Tennessee State at 4 p.m.. Alabama will wrap up the weekend Sunday against Middle Tennessee at 1:30 p.m..
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama softball shows dominance on opening weekend, clobbers Arizona
