The University of Alabama softball team will travel about 2½ hours up U.S. Highway 43 on Wednesday in search of some answers.
The Crimson Tide will play Lipscomb at 6 p.m. at the Florence Sportsplex in an in-state, out-of-conference game. UA will be looking to get back on a winning note after dropping two out of three games at Missouri last weekend, and also trying to figure out how to proceed with Demi Turner expected to be out of the lineup.
Alabama lost more than just its second baseman when the junior was hit in the face with a ball in last Saturday’s game against the Tigers. It also lost its leadoff batter.
Sophomore outfielder Mari Cranek, a .333 hitter who had been filling in for outfielder Merris Schroder when Schroder was out undergoing concussion protocol, batted in the leadoff spot in Sunday’s series finale at Mizzou. Freshman Claire Jenkins, who had started some games previously at shortstop and third base, played at second. Cranek went 0-for-3 with a pair of walks and Jenkins was 1-for-4.
Turner carries a .387 batting average with a team-best 28 runs scored and a team-high 17 stolen bases.
Schroder, back in the lineup, is batting .395 with four home runs and 23 RBIs. Catcher Bailey Hemphill is hitting .337 with five homers and 29 RBIs. Peyton Grantham has a team-high six home runs with a .284 average and 32 RBIs. Chandler Dare is hitting .293.
Alabama vs. Lipscomb
Where: Florence (Ala.) Sportsplex
When: Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Records: Alabama 32-6, Lipscomb
Radio: 93.3 FM
