2009 Florida Gators Softball Season - Game Notes - Alabama (Game 1)

Alabama (Game 1)

In a surprising mercy-rule-ended game, Florida scored nine earned runs and hit 12 times off Alabama's Kelsi Dunne. However, it was the Crimson Tide who scored first. In the top of the fifth, Alabama loaded the bases with no outs on two walks and a single. A hit by pitch brought in the first run of the game and left the bases loaded. A fielder's choice grounder to third baseman Corrie Brooks allowed Ashley Holcombe to reach, but forced the runner out at home. Catcher Kristina Hilberth then picked off the runner at third for the second out. Stacey Nelson struck out Brittany Rogers to keep the scoring at one run.

The Gators would not stay behind for long, as Aja Paculba doubled, Kelsey Bruder walked, and Ali Gardiner singled all with one out to load the bases. With two outs and the bases still loaded, Brooks hit a single to the shortstop that scored two and put Florida on top. Megan Bush singled through the right side to score Gardiner, and Hilberth walked to load the bases again, but a harmless fly to right left them that way.

While the Tide tried to counter, loading the bases with one out, a force out at home and a fly out back to Nelson kept Alabama from scoring. In the bottom of the sixth, Alicia Sisco hit a lead-off single to the left side, but her pinch runner was caught stealing. Paculba then singled, and Bruder flied out. As the Gators had all season, they rallied with two outs, starting with a walk to Gardiner. Francesca Enea homered for three more runs, and Brooks made it 7-1 with another home run. Then, Bush and Hilberth singled and Tiffany DeFelice walked to load the bases. Pinch hitter Shaunice Harris walked to bring in pinch runner Lauren Heil, and Paculba ended the game early on an RBI single to left field.