Alabama softball fell short in extra innings to Virginia Tech on Saturday, splitting its series with the Hokies to finish the week 3-1.
The Crimson Tide defeated the No. 16/12 Hokies 1-0 on Friday night before falling 8-3 in extra innings on Saturday. They also picked up a pair of midweek wins, defeating Samford 11-2 in five innings on Tuesday night then defeating UAB 4-3 on Wednesday.
Alabama now sits at 7-1 all-time vs. Virginia Tech and 6-1 vs. opponents in the ACC this season. It also puts the Crimson Tide at 6-5 against ranked opponents this season and improves them to 13-4 at home on the season.
Here are observations from Alabama softball’s (25-6, 2-4 SEC) outing this weekend vs. Virginia Tech.
Kendal Clark RBI single is the difference on Friday night
Alabama had gone 14 up, 14 down in Friday night’s game before it got a runner on base when Bailey Dowling reached base on a two-out walk in the bottom of the fifth. Kinley Pate came in to pinch run for Dowling, and after stealing second, Kendal Clark hit a single up the middle to send Pate home and to give Alabama a 1-0 lead.
Kayla Beaver got the start in the circle for the Crimson Tide, pitching a complete game where she did not give up a run on five hits. She also struck out six batters and walked one. Beaver was helped by shortstop Kenleigh Cahalan in the top of the seventh, with Cahalan converting on back-to-back groundouts to get two outs on the board, before Beaver struck out the last batter swinging to end the game.
Clark led Alabama’s bats on Friday night going 1-for-2 from the plate with an RBI. Kristen White finished 1-for-2 from the plate with a leadoff single in the top of the sixth.
2024 SCHEDULE:Alabama softball schedule 2024: Here’s a list of every game with dates, times and locations
NICK SABAN COMMEMORATIVE BOOK:Relive Nick Saban’s epic Alabama football coaching career with our special book! Preorder here.
Alabama softball late comeback falls short on Saturday
Down 2-0 with one out in the bottom of the sixth, Cahalan hit the first triple of her career to right field. Abby Duchscherer then flied out to center field and Marlie Giles reached on a walk to put runners on the corners with two outs for the Crimson Tide. A Bailey Dowling flyout to center field ended the inning as two Alabama base runners were left stranded.
Virginia Tech added to its lead in the top of the seventh to take a 3-0 lead as Alabama was down to its final three outs. Clark started things off for the Crimson Tide with a leadoff triple down the right field line. Kali Heivilin flied out to left field, but a Lauren Esman single brought Clark home to give Alabama its first run of the day. Jenna Johnson was then walked, and another triple by Cahalan tied the game at 3-all and sent it to extra innings.
Virginia Tech responded with five runs of its own in the top of the eighth innings to expand the lead to 8-3. Alabama was unable to respond in the bottom of the eighth as it was handed its first loss to the Hokies.
What’s next?
Alabama softball jumps back into SEC conference play next weekend, travelling to Lexington, Kentucky for a three-game series with the Wildcats from March 28-March 30.
Anna Snyder covers high school sports and University of Alabama softball and football recruiting for The Tuscaloosa News. Reach her at asnyder@gannett.com. Follow her on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, @annaesnyder2
