In the past nine games, Alabama has gone 8-1 and outscored its opponents 68-19. Five of the wins have been shutouts. Three have been by the mercy-rule.
Over the weekend, the Crimson Tide shut out No. 6 Auburn in the first game, which was the first time the Tigers had been shut out all season. In the second game, Alabama cruised to a 13-3 win. In the series finale, the Tigers fought back to a walk-off win in extra innings to avoid the sweep.
Alabama hit eight home runs in the three-game series and limited the conference home run leaders to one home run.
Alabama coach Patrick Murphy said a reporter remarked that the roles had been reversed with the home runs after the first game. He agreed.
“We had really, really good batting practice Thursday night at their place and the ball was flying, and we usually carry that over to the game which is a good thing, and they really did up and down the lineup,” Murphy said.
Senior catcher Chaunsey Bell accounted for two home runs, both in Friday’s 6-0 shutout. Sophomore infielder Marisa Runyon hit three home runs in the doubleheader Saturday. Senior Jadyn Spencer hit a three-run home run in the second game, and junior Leona Lafaele hit a two-run homer to give Alabama a 12-10 lead in the eighth inning.
“They all hit the ball really, really well, and it was fun to see,” Murphy said. “And we see it all the time in practice, but this was the first time that it really carried over to the game.”
On Tuesday, Alabama (35-10) hosts Troy (29-19) at 6 p.m. for the final midweek game of the season.
Troy, who has a new coaching staff, has an Alabama alumna as its pitching coach. Erin Wright pitched at Alabama from 2001-04.
“It’s a good, young coaching staff,” Murphy said. “I know they’ve got them excited. Whenever you have a new coaching staff, the enthusiasm is the thing that worries you the most because it’s a new staff. They’re bringing in new ideas and they’re doing a really good job so it will be a fun game. It will be a tough game for sure.”
