No. 10 Alabama Downs State In Series Opener, 10-0
May 25, 2016 | Softball
Tide Rallies For Five Runs In Sixth To Invoke Mercy Rule
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Visiting and 10th-ranked Alabama pounded out 14 hits and rallied for multi-runs in each of the second and sixth innings to rally behind a pitching gem from staff ace Stephanie VanBrakle as the Crimson Tide took down homestanding Mississippi State 10-0 in abbreviated innings in the series opener between the clubs Friday afternoon at the MSU Softball Field.
Jennifer Waterman turned in a pair of hits on three trips to the plate, while Iyhia McMichael walked and singled on a 1-for-2 tally to pace the Bulldogs. Alabama got multi-hit days from four different players, including three-hit showings from Capper Reed, Staci Ramsey (2 HRs) and Leah White.
Mississippi State starter Kelli Miller (5-8) pitched a complete game, but was saddled with the loss after allowing 10 runs (five earned) on 14 hits and a pair of walks, despite striking out three. VanBrakle (11-5) picked up the victory for the visitors, striking out 10 and walking three and scattering just four hits.
Alabama scratched the leftfield scoreboard for three runs in the top of the second, getting a two-run single from Reed and a RBI groundout from Angela Johnson to take a 3-0 lead into the third. Ramsey hit her first of two homeruns with none on in the third to stretch the lead out to 4-0, then the Crimson Tide added another score in the fourth on Reed's RBI double to widen the advantage out to 5-0.
Alabama would put the game away in the sixth, scoring five unearned runs, including Ramsey's two run homer to bring the ninth and 10th runs home.
| ALABAMA 10, MISSISSIPPI STATE 0 (6 Innings) | |||||||
| Alabama | 031 | 105 | - | 10 | 14 | 0 | |
| Mississippi State | 000 | 000 | - | 0 | 4 | 1 | |
VanBrakle and Courtney. Miller and Waterman. W * VanBrakle (11-5). L * Miller (5-8). Save * None. HR * UA, Ramsey 2. 2B * UA, Reed, Accetturo.
