Feb. 16, 2008
Listen to the New Mexico Game (Today at 6:30 PM ET) | Gametracker
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Senior Savannah Brown was 2-for-3 with four RBI as the Georgia Tech Softball Team (3-5) fell to No. 2/.2 Alabama (9-0) 9-5 this afternoon in the final pool play game of the Hampton Inn Crimson Classic. The Yellow Jackets had a 3-0 lead in the third, but saw the Crimson Tide score two runs in the third and seven in the fourth to remain undefeated. The Jackets will now play New Mexico in bracket play tonight at approximately 6:30 ET.
Tech struck first for three runs in the top of the third inning. It marked the first runs that Alabama pitcher Kelsi Dunne had given up in 21.2 innings pitched to start the season. Senior Stephanie Butler led off the inning by reaching on an error and moved to second base when senior Aileen Morales singled up the middle. Two batters later, they were at second and third with two outs when junior Whitney Haller walked to load the bases. Brown then delivered the clutch, two-out hit with a two-run single into left field. Junior Tiffany Johnson made it 3-0 with a RBI single of her own into left.
The Tide came right back with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Cat Dozier walked to lead off the frame and scored when Whitney Larsen homered to left-center, her third of the season.
After the Jackets went down 1-2-3, the Tide put up a crooked number in the fourth inning as they batted around and opened up a 9-3 lead. They scored seven runs on four hits and an error. A walk, hit batsman and an error loaded the bases for the Tide with nobody out. Senior Whitney Humphreys came into the game in relief of freshman Stephanie Morris. She got Dozier to pop out to centerfield holding the runners on their bases, but hit Larsen to drive in the tying run and that opened up the flood gates. RBI hits by Brittany Rogers, Jordan Praytor, Charlotte Morgan and Kelley Montalvo made it 9-3 Tide.
The Jackets got a run back in the fifth on a Brown sac fly and then made things interesting in the seventh. With two outs and Shimandle on first base, Haller singled to put two on with two outs. Brown followed with a RBI single and that knocked Dunne from the game. Chrissy Owens came in and got Johnson to ground out to end the game.
Morris (2-1) took the loss allowing five runs (three earned) on two hits and three walks in three-plus innings. Humphreys yielded four runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk in three innings.
The Yellow Jackets are the No. 3 seed in the championship round and will now face New Mexico tonight at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET. Live audio and stats of each Tech game this weekend will be available at www.ramblinwreck.com.
