Bama takes care of business on Day 1.
ALABAMA 8, USC UPSTATE 0 (5 Inn. run rule)
The Spartans’ starting pitcher had no problem with the Tide’s first three batters. It was the middle and the bottom of the Alabama order in the second frame that broke this game open. The inning looked like a cat who had captured a mouse, had it cornered, and was just toying with it.
It all started with Marlie Giles with a one-out kablooey over the right center field wall.
Audrey Vandagriff followed up with a solid single up the middle and then swiped second base. After a ground out moved her to third, Salen Hawkins was hit by a pitch and then she stole second. Kristen White hit a high chopper that the pitcher fielded and appeared to attempt to tag the plate instead of Vandagriff who was safe. With first base open, she would have had to tag the runner. Reagardless, she was not in time for Bama to score run number two. White proceeded to steal the third base of the inning. Jena Young singled to pitcher but the other two runners were not able to advance. Brooke Wells singled up the middle for two more Bama runs and advanced to second on the throw. Alexis Pupillo joined the fun with a two run double to make it 6-0.
In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Vandagriff bashed a ball that sailed over the Southeastern Louisiana players who were watching the game in the left field stands.
More two out action for the Tide in the 4th. White singled and took second on an error. After two outs, Pupillo’s opposite field single made it 8-0 Alabama. Upstate was not able to score in the 5th and the mercy rule was enacted.
Kaitlyn Pallozzi (9-0) got the start in the circle and was okay. After the 1st inning 1-2-3, she allowed base runners in each of innings 2 through 5. She allowed four hits and two walks to go with a pair of strikeouts.
NOTES:
- You could see the confidence in Vandagriff from her very first at bat. Following the Giles homer, she attempted to bunt on the first pitch – which I guarantee you was a Gut® call from Patrick Murphy thinking the Spartans were back on their heels. The next pitch, she got a solid rip up the middle to get the big rally going. Next came the steal of second base which was not even close. On a ground out to third, she waited just long enough for the throw to first base to then took third base. This is looking like vintage 2025 Vandagriff. Oh, yeah. She also had a screaming home run.
- USCU put runners on the corners with two outs in the 3rd inning. The runner from first broke to steal and was caught in a rundown. The runner at third tried to score but the other runner was called out before her teammate crossed the plate.
- Alabama was very aggressive in their at bats, swinging early in the counts. The Tide had no walks in the game.
UP NEXT
Alabama will next play the winner of Southeastern Louisiana vs. Belmont. A scouting report will be added to this post for whoever wins that match-up. Check back later. [This will be the game thread for Saturday.]
SCHEDULE
Tuscaloosa Regional
Fri, May 15
Game 2: 2:30/3:30 pm | Southeastern Louisiana vs. Belmont
Sat, May 16
Game 3: 1 pm/2 pm| Alabama vs. Winner of Game 2
Game 4: 3:30/4:30 pm | USC Upstate vs. Loser of Game 2
Game 5: 6pm/7 pm | Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
Sun, May 17
Game 6: noon/1 pm | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
HOW TO WATCH… ALLEGEDLY
Who knows? Check back.
