By Justin Smith
Special to The Tuscaloosa News
Alabama softball swept the competition in the Easton Bama Bash this weekend at Rhoads Stadium.
The No. 6 Crimson Tide racked up wins against Missouri State, Minnesota and ULM to improve its undefeated record to 15-0. It compiled 31 runs during the series. Alabama pitchers Montana Fouts, Sarah Cornell, Courtney Gettins and Krystal Goodman all picked up wins.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Missouri State Bears were able to give the Tide some trouble during the series.
The Golden Gophers’ junior pitcher, Amber Fiser, and Alabama freshman Fouts dueled it out in a night game on Friday. The Tide took the win with a walk-off run scored off an Elissa Brown RBI. The Tide took the victory 1-0.
Alabama softball coach Patrick Murphy said he feels Alabama’s win against Minnesota will go a long way for the Tide.
“I think that is going to be a big win for us,” Murphy said. “They are going to get to regionals, they are going to the postseason and be a tough out. They are just going to keep getting better and better.”
The Bears stayed within striking distance of the Tide in the teams’ Saturday matchup. They were down to two runs at the top of the seventh with a chance to take the lead. Their leadoff batter and put them in position to tie the game. But Cornell struck out one batter and her teammates handled the rest by inducing a force-out and forcing a groundout to give the Tide a 7-5 win.
ULM fell to the Tide, 5-1, on Sunday. The Tide beat Missouri State, 11-1, On Friday and Minnesota, 7-2, on Saturday.
Alabama will be back in action on Wednesday to face the UAB Blazers in Birmingham at 6 p.m.
