Alabama Softball Closes Out Fall Season with West Alabama Sweep

Alabama played its fourth and final Fall Brawl double header Sunday, sweeping West Alabama by a score of 11-1 and 8-0, respectively, to go a perfect 8-0 in the fall.

The fall provided head  coach Patrick Murphy and his staff a chance to look at the Crimson Tide in a variety of situation and lineups.

“For kids like Peyton Grantham and Leona Lafaele, who were thrown into a different positions, I thought they both did really well throughout the entire fall,” Murphy said. “Carrigan (Fain), a freshman, showed a lot of maturity and hit the ball well. Demi Turner, another freshman, made some really good plays in the infield and got on base a lot this fall.

With its lone run in game one, the Tigers were the only team to score on the Crimson Tide during the fall. Over the four double headers, Alabama outscored its opponents 68-1.

“I thought all of our pitchers did really well. I was really pleased with them all fall,” Murphy said. “We only gave up one run in eight games. The pitching and the defense were both solid. The game of softball starts with pitching, and then goes to defense, and then goes to getting key hits.”

On Sunday, Alabama tallied 19 runs on 25 hits, including a home run in game one by junior Leona Lafaele. Junior Haylie McCleney posted a team-high four hits over the double header while all three of the Crimson Tide’s pitchers saw at least two innings of action on Sunday.

“I thought Haylie played really well today,” Murphy said. “Really everyone did something good today. There were a couple situations where the count was 3-1 or 3-2 and the ball was just a little bit off the plate and we took it for a walk. To me, a walk is as good as a hit, so they were very patient at the plate.”

With the conclusion of the fall season, Alabama returns to the diamond after the New Year.

GAME ONE: ALABAMA 11, WEST ALABAMA 1 (5 INNINGS)

Alabama scattered 11 runs across five innings including a six-run third inning. Junior catcher Leona Lafaele sparked the big third inning with a monster home run that went deep over the centerfield wall. Junior centerfielder Haylie McCleney led the Tide with three hits and three RBI.

Sophomore Sydney Littlejohn went the distance for the Tide in the circle for the win while junior Kayla Jordan took the loss for the Tigers.

GAME TWO: ALABAMA 8, WEST ALABAMA 0 (5.5 INNINGS)

The Tide closed out its fall season with an 8-0 shutout of West Alabama on the strength of a big five-run fifth inning. Junior centerfielder Haylie McCleney and senior second baseman Danielle Richard both plated two runs in game two while right fielder Chandler Dare led the Tide with two hits.

Freshman pitcher Alexis Osorio took the win for Alabama while Alli Hall took the loss for UWA.

“Alexis Osorio did extremely well pitching today, which is a great sign,” Murphy said. “She showed a lot of maturity and she’s only getting better.”