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Alabama softball saw itself leading late twice against No. 5/6 Texas A&M but was unable to hold on, dropping its second Southeastern Conference series of the season on Sunday at Davis Diamond Stadium in College Station, Texas.
The No. RV/24 Crimson Tide dropped the series opener, 5-4, despite holding the 4-2 lead going into the sixth frame. The Crimson Tide bounced back with a 2-1 win on Saturday, fueled by a clutch Catelyn Riley home run, before dropping Sunday's rubber match, 9-7, after leading 7-6 late, thus dropping the series, 2-1.
Here are observations and takeaways from Alabama softball (21-12, 2-4 SEC) vs. Texas A&M (26-5, 6-3 SEC).
2025 SCHEDULE: Alabama softball: 2025 schedule for Crimson Tide, including SEC and tournaments
IN THE POLLS: Where does Alabama softball rank in national polls following its series loss to Mississippi State?
In the series opener, Alabama saw itself leading 4-2 going into the sixth inning behind an Audrey Vandagriff two-run home run in the fifth. Texas A&M then used a three-run sixth inning behind two home runs, taking the one-run lead which held as final.
In the series finale, Alabama saw itself trailing 6-1 heading into the sixth inning, a no-out Brooke Ellestad grand slam quickly pulling it within one. A few batters later, Salen Hawkins singled through the right side, scoring Lauren Johnson and giving Alabama its first lead of the game, 7-6. Texas A&M went on to tie the game in the bottom half of the inning behind a Mac Barbara RBI, taking the lead not long after behind two walks.
Vandagriff went 3-for-3 with two RBIs in Friday’s series opener and stretched her NCAA-leading stolen base total to 40 with three steals. She is now tied for 10th in Alabama’s single-season history for most stolen bases.
Riley had a strong Saturday, starting in the circle and batting seventh as the designated player. She helped her own cause with a solo home run in the fourth inning, her third of the season, which proved to be the game-winner.
Ellestad led Alabama with four RBIs in the series finale powered by her grand slam, which was her sixth home run of the season. Larissa Preuitt also contributed with her second home run of the season, coming off a solo shot in the third inning. Riley led Alabama with two hits in the series finale, Ellestad, Heivilin, Hawkins and Preuitt each collecting one.
Alabama's defense was much improved against the Aggies. The Crimson Tide did not commit an error through its time in College Station after struggling with misplays in recent outings. Alabama also turned two double plays on the weekend, bringing it's SEC-leading total to 20.
While Alabama's defense improved, Alabama again struggled with free passes when it mattered the most.
Heading into Sunday, the pitching staff had issued just two walks over the weekend. The series finale, though, saw it walk four, two of them coming in the bottom of the sixth and being the game-winning runs for the Aggies.
Jocelyn Briski, who started the game, reentered in relief of Alea Johnson in the sixth inning. Briski inherited a bases-loaded situation with one out, walking the first two batters she faced to score two runs. Riley then came in to relieve Briski, giving up one hit but getting Alabama out of the bases-loaded jam.
Briski started both the series opener and finale, going a combined 8.0 innings, giving up six earned runs off of 10 hits. Johnson relieved Briski in the series opener, taking the loss after allowing one earned run on one hit in 1.0 inning of work.
Riley opened the game in the circle on Saturday, going 3.0 innings and allowing one earned run on four hits. Emily Winstead and Briski then combined for 4.0 scoreless innings in relief, with Briski earning her first save of the season. Winstead also pitched 1.0 inning of relief on Sunday, giving up three earned runs off of three hits.
Alabama softball has a midweek contest at North Alabama on Wednesday, March 26 at 6 p.m. CT. After that, the Crimson Tide is set to host Georgia for a three-game SEC series between Friday, March 28 through Sunday, March 30 at Rhoads Stadium.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama softball: Late inning struggles as Crimson Tide drop series to Texas A&M
Continue reading...
The No. RV/24 Crimson Tide dropped the series opener, 5-4, despite holding the 4-2 lead going into the sixth frame. The Crimson Tide bounced back with a 2-1 win on Saturday, fueled by a clutch Catelyn Riley home run, before dropping Sunday's rubber match, 9-7, after leading 7-6 late, thus dropping the series, 2-1.
Here are observations and takeaways from Alabama softball (21-12, 2-4 SEC) vs. Texas A&M (26-5, 6-3 SEC).
2025 SCHEDULE: Alabama softball: 2025 schedule for Crimson Tide, including SEC and tournaments
IN THE POLLS: Where does Alabama softball rank in national polls following its series loss to Mississippi State?
Alabama softball gives up late leads against Texas A&M
In the series opener, Alabama saw itself leading 4-2 going into the sixth inning behind an Audrey Vandagriff two-run home run in the fifth. Texas A&M then used a three-run sixth inning behind two home runs, taking the one-run lead which held as final.
In the series finale, Alabama saw itself trailing 6-1 heading into the sixth inning, a no-out Brooke Ellestad grand slam quickly pulling it within one. A few batters later, Salen Hawkins singled through the right side, scoring Lauren Johnson and giving Alabama its first lead of the game, 7-6. Texas A&M went on to tie the game in the bottom half of the inning behind a Mac Barbara RBI, taking the lead not long after behind two walks.
Leaders from the plate, improved defense
Vandagriff went 3-for-3 with two RBIs in Friday’s series opener and stretched her NCAA-leading stolen base total to 40 with three steals. She is now tied for 10th in Alabama’s single-season history for most stolen bases.
Riley had a strong Saturday, starting in the circle and batting seventh as the designated player. She helped her own cause with a solo home run in the fourth inning, her third of the season, which proved to be the game-winner.
Ellestad led Alabama with four RBIs in the series finale powered by her grand slam, which was her sixth home run of the season. Larissa Preuitt also contributed with her second home run of the season, coming off a solo shot in the third inning. Riley led Alabama with two hits in the series finale, Ellestad, Heivilin, Hawkins and Preuitt each collecting one.
Alabama's defense was much improved against the Aggies. The Crimson Tide did not commit an error through its time in College Station after struggling with misplays in recent outings. Alabama also turned two double plays on the weekend, bringing it's SEC-leading total to 20.
From the circle
While Alabama's defense improved, Alabama again struggled with free passes when it mattered the most.
Heading into Sunday, the pitching staff had issued just two walks over the weekend. The series finale, though, saw it walk four, two of them coming in the bottom of the sixth and being the game-winning runs for the Aggies.
Jocelyn Briski, who started the game, reentered in relief of Alea Johnson in the sixth inning. Briski inherited a bases-loaded situation with one out, walking the first two batters she faced to score two runs. Riley then came in to relieve Briski, giving up one hit but getting Alabama out of the bases-loaded jam.
Briski started both the series opener and finale, going a combined 8.0 innings, giving up six earned runs off of 10 hits. Johnson relieved Briski in the series opener, taking the loss after allowing one earned run on one hit in 1.0 inning of work.
Riley opened the game in the circle on Saturday, going 3.0 innings and allowing one earned run on four hits. Emily Winstead and Briski then combined for 4.0 scoreless innings in relief, with Briski earning her first save of the season. Winstead also pitched 1.0 inning of relief on Sunday, giving up three earned runs off of three hits.
What's next?
Alabama softball has a midweek contest at North Alabama on Wednesday, March 26 at 6 p.m. CT. After that, the Crimson Tide is set to host Georgia for a three-game SEC series between Friday, March 28 through Sunday, March 30 at Rhoads Stadium.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama softball: Late inning struggles as Crimson Tide drop series to Texas A&M
Continue reading...
