Crimson Red Sports

Alabama closes out the 5 game 3 day tournament this morning versus Southern Illinois. This has been a good tournament for Bama as they have been pushed to the limit to win two of their previous 4 victories. Yesterday's come from behind extra inning game was a real test for the team, something that should help the team in the games to come.

It also has offered a chance for Bama's other two pitchers to get some valuable experience. Lauren Sewell has continued to show she can be a part of the pitching rotation after coming off a season ending knee injury last year. Leslie Jury threw a one hitter yesterday while only walking one and striking out nine, by far her best performance of her career.

Bama's hitting hasn't been what it was in the Northern Iowa tournament in this tournament but the pitching has been bettter. It's great when you have both good pitching and hitting in a game but that's why it's important for the team to learn to play through adversity as they showed in the 2-1 victory over FGCU yesterday. RTR!!!

Good comments Jamos. I enjoy getting your point of view because you had a very good knowledge of the game and our players.

CPM has used a lot of players in the two tournaments. All the infield positions and catcher seem to be different each game. Hunt and Braud, two of our better players, are not starting each game. We have also seen a lot of change in the batting order. It is good for team moral for everyone to get to play but it also builds depth. I expect CPM to settle into a regular line up as we get into SEC play.

I was fooled by the teams in this tournament. There were no big names and I expected to sleep walk through five wins. It turned out to be very competitive which is good for us to get tested.

Leslie Jury pitched a gem yesterday. That was good to see. It should help her convidence.

Thanks pmull. You are right on in how CPM has been mixing the lineups with all of the players. I also think that the tournaments that Bama has selected this year are all by design of CPM. These aren't the top 10 teams in these tournaments but they are good enough to play Bama tough.

Bama jumps out to a 2-1 lead after one inning. McCleney got things going for Bama with a base hit and a steal and Denae Hays getting the big hit driving in two runs.

Jury is pitching today and things didn't go well for her and Bama in the first. A lost ball in the sun that accounted for a lead off double started the inning for SI. Then a strikeout wild pitch put runners at first and 3rd. SI then got a run in but it could have been much worse for Bama. 

Both teams went quietly in the second, Bama leads 2-1
Bama's lineup:
1-Braud lf
2-McCleney cf
3-Hunt 2b
4-Traina DP
5-Hayes ss
6-Fichtner c
7-Spencer 1b
8-Richard 3b
9-Davis rf

Braud got Bama off to a good start in the 3rd with a hit and moved to second on a ground out by McCleney. Hunt then drove in Braud with a hit. Hayes then got a hit to drive in Hunt giving Bama a 4-1 lead

SI got an infield hit in their half of the inning but Jury has settled down and got the next three batters.

Richard got a 1 out hit and then the SI pitcher threw wild to 1st, trying to get Davis, permitting Richard to score with Davis moving to 3rd. Braud then drove one to right center for a triple driving in Davis. McCleney then followed with a perfect bunt for a hit with Braud staying at 3rd. McCleney steals second. Hunt follows with a double down the lf line driving in Braud and McCleney, 8-1 Bama. Traina strikes out and Hayes follows with yet another run scoring hit, driving in Hunt, 9-1 Bama. Fichtner flies out for the 3rd out.

Jury has really settled into a good rythem and sets SI down in order to end the 4th with Bama leading 9-1.

Richard got a one out walk and Leona Lafaele followed with a double to right center scoring Danielle Richard, 10-1 Bama. Ryan Iamurri makes the final out of the inning.

SI gets a leadoff double. After a strike out, hit batter, pop up and a hit, SI has the bases loaded with 2 outs. Jury strikes out the final batter that ends the game due to the mercy rule 10-1.

Bama's record now moves to 10-0 with their next game will be at UAB Tuesday at 6 p.m. ct.

Jury had another good outing and that is just what Bama is needing. Bama's bats woke up today with some very good timely hitting. Despite a couple of fly balls lost in the sun and a couple of base running mistakes, it was a good day for the team. Roll Tide!!  :clap:

http://www.rolltide.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/021713aaa.html

Article on today's game. 

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Well done ladies. Keep it going. We are looking for another championship season. RTR!