Feb. 14, 2008
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Freshman pitcher Kelsi Dunne tossed a two-hit shutout with 12 strikeouts to lead the No. 2/2 Alabama Softball Team (6-0) to a 6-0 win over Georgia Tech (2-3) tonight at the Alabama Softball Stadium.
Alabama took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning by taking advantage of two Tech errors. Kelly Montalvo singled and advanced to second base on an error. She scored one batter later when Kellie Eubanks singled into left. Eubanks advanced to second base on an error and a walk two batter later gave the Crimson Tide runners at first and second with one out, but Tech senior pitcher Whitney Humphreys was able to get out of the jam.
It remained a 1-0 game until the bottom of the fourth inning when a two-out triple off the bat of All-American Brittany Rogers gave Alabama a 2-0 lead.
Tech was still looking for its first hit in the fifth when freshman Jessica Weaver led off the inning with a fly ball to left-center field. Alabama left fielder Dani Woods dropped the ball and Weaver was safe at second base. Two batters later, pinch runner Kelly Eppinger went to third base when junior Blair Shimandle singled into right field for the Jackets’ first hit of the game. The Jackets had a golden chance to score at least one run, but senior pinch hitter Becky McCraw and senior Aileen Morales both fouled out to the catcher ending the threat.
Alabama put the game away as Lauren Parker and Whitney Larsen hit a two-run home run apiece in the fifth and sixth inning, respectively.
Dunne retired the Jackets in order in the seventh inning to preserve the shutout and ran her scoreless innings streak to 17 innings to begin her career. Humphreys (1-1) took the loss for the Jackets allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits and three walks. She struck out three batters in four innings. Johnson pitched two innings of relief and allowed four runs on four hits while fanning four.
The Yellow Jackets will remain in Alabama for the Hampton Inn Crimson Classic. The Jackets will face Middle Tennessee State on Friday at 12:00 PM ET and then New Mexico at 2:00 PM ET. Tech will then square off again against Alabama on Saturday at 2:00 PM ET to conclude pool play. Championship round games will begin Saturday night and go through Sunday. Live audio and stats of each Tech game this weekend will be available at www.ramblinwreck.com.
