Lauryn Morgan Ricketts

late-game heroics lead #1 tide to four weekend wins

The top-ranked Crimson Tide lost their perfect record this weekend but still had a successful run in California.  On Thursday, Alabama pitchers Kelsi Dunne and Charlotte Morgan tossed a pair of shutouts against BYU and Oregon.  But on Friday night, the Tide suffered their first defeat of the season.  The 4-1 loss to #6 UCLA gives Alabama an 0-9 all-time record against the Bruins.  The final night of the tournament saw Alabama winning to back-to-back nail-biters against #4 Oklahoma and Hawai'i.  The Tide trailed the Sooners 4-3 going into the bottom of the seventh inning before putting together a walk and a single to set the table for senior Third Baseman Kelly Montalvo, whose two-run double won the game.  Twenty minutes later the Tide took the field again, this time going seven scoreless innings against Hawai'i.  This time it was freshman Amanda Locke providing the heroics, with a sharp infield single that scored Montalvo from third to win the game. 

The Tide now wait to see if they will retain their #1 ranking and will play five more games next weekend in Columbus, Georgia at the Leadoff Classic.

Charlotte Morgan homered against BYU and threw a two-hitter against Oregon.

Game One:  Alabama Crimson Tide 6, BYU Cougars 0

Bama Notes:   Center Fielder Brittany Rogers returned from a brief injury hiatus by going 2-3 with a walk and two stolen bases (giving her eight on the season).  First Baseman Charlotte Morgan reached in all three plate appearances including two walks and a three-run home run.  Second Baseman Lauren Parker sealed the game by putting two runs across the plate with a single in the fifth.

BYU Notes:   First Baseman Andrea Ramirez went 2-3 at the plate with both hits moving a runner to third.  Catcher Jessica Purcell went 0-1, but walked twice and ended up in scoring position both times.

Player of the Game:   First Baseman Charlotte Morgan .  Morgan's home run in the third basically ended the game by putting the Tide up 3-0.  She also walked twice, reaching base in all three of her plate appearances.

Turning Point:  BYU's fourth and sixth innings.  In the top half of the fourth, the Tide led 3-0.  Pitcher Kelsi Dunne loaded the bases with two singles and a walk, but proceeded to strike out the next two batters and force a pop up to finish in the inning.  In the sixth, Dunne put runners on second and third before striking out two batters and forcing a slow grounder to finish the inning.  Dunne did not pitch a great game (she gave up five hits and five walks) but she didn't allow a run...so, congratulations.

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