Just when it seemed like the University of Alabama softball team found some offensive answers, the rain came and washed them all away.
The Crimson Tide pounded out three runs on seven hits in three turns at bat against Tennessee on Monday, but those hits and runs don’t count since the game was canceled due to rain before it became official.
Alabama left on the wrong end of a sweep, losing both games in Knoxville, Tenn., but will try tonight against Southern Miss to recapture the offensive spark that it seemed to find before the third game of the series was washed out. UA will host the Golden Eagles at 6 p.m. in non-conference play.
The Crimson Tide is at a crucial point, having lost four of its last eight games as the season enters its stretch run. UA fell to 12th in both national polls, and to 14th in the official NCAA RPI (Ratings Percentage Index, a criteria used for seeding in the NCAA Tournament which factors a team’s record, its opponents’ records and its opponents’ opponents record).
Offensively, UA has struggled. Alabama is ranked 66th or below nationally in batting average (.296), slugging percentage (.436), scoring (5.0 runs per game) and home runs per game (0.67, which rates 95th in the country).
The brightest spot is on defense, where Alabama ranks eighth in fielding percentage (.978). UA also has a high on-base percentage at .406, which ranks 18th nationally.
Alabama has been playing recently without leadoff batter Demi Turner, who carries a .387 batting average.
Alabama will host ninth-ranked Washington on Friday and Saturday.
Southern Miss at No. 12 Alabama
Where: Rhoads Stadium
When: 6 p.m.
Records: Alabama 36-9, Southern Miss 24-22
Radio: 93.3 FM
