By Justin Smith
Special to The Tuscaloosa News
Unlike the first two games in the series, Alabama softball had to battle all seven innings to pull out the 4-3 victory over Georgia on Monday to earn the sweep at Rhoads Stadium.
The walk-off win came courtesy of a Kaylee Tow single that scored Elissa Brown from third.
“I like to see the bounce-back and resiliency,” Alabama softball coach Patrick Murphy said. “This is what you are looking for down the stretch in a long season. A kid that does not cave.”
Montana Fouts was back in action after being out a few weeks with an injury. She got the start Monday and looked like she was back to her regular form as she pitched four shutout innings, allowing just one with seven strikeouts. This was Fouts’ first game back since March 24.
Alabama jumped out to an early lead off several Bulldogs mishaps. A Georgia error in the bottom of the second scored Reagan Dykes and put Claire Jenkins in scoring position.
Jenkins scored on a Skylar Wallace sacrifice fly to give Alabama a 2-0 lead.
The Tide continued to benefit off Bulldogs mistakes. Freshman Kloyee Anderson extended Alabama’s lead, scoring on another Georgia error for a 3-0 advantage.
The Bulldogs refused to roll over in the last game of the series.
Courtney Gettins replaced Fouts in the circle in the fifth. The Bulldogs got an RBI single from Savana Sikes and Tyler Armistead tied the game 3-3 on two-run homer. Alabama made its third pitching change, bringing in Sarah Cornell to get out of the jam.
Cornell earned the win, allowing no runs and no hits in 2 1/3 innings of work. Maddie Morgan had two of Alabama’s four hits. Tow and Brown each had a hit.
Alabama will be back in action this weekend, traveling to Gainesville to take on the Florida Gators for a three-game series.
