The Alabama softball team played its final two games of the fall in a double header against Wallace State and Samford Saturday. The Tide shut out both opponents, beating Wallace State 6-0 and Samford 8-0.

“This team has so much energy.” junior first baseman Cassie Reilly-Boccia said. “That energy was the key to our victories today.”

Reilly-Boccia gave an outstanding performance in both games Saturday. She had nine total hits this fall, including a double, a triple and five home runs.

“Today was really exciting, we had a huge explosion of offense today,” Reilly-Boccia said. “Once one person starts hitting, it becomes contagious.”

In the first game, the Tide scored six runs off seven hits. By the second inning, Alabama was up 4-0. In the first, Reilly-Boccia hit a two-run homer, giving the Tide a 2-0 lead. In the second, two more runs scored on Jackey Branham’s homer. Reilly-Boccia would hit another home run in the third, making the score 5-0. Lauren Sewell would homer in the bottom of the fourth, giving the Tide its final score of 6-0.

Another notable performance in game one came from center fielder Olivia Gibson. Gibson had 13 of the team’s 21 putouts.

In game two, the Tide scored eight points off eight total hits. At the beginning of the game, the score remained tied until the bottom of the third, when five runs were scored. Jennifer Fenton hit a three-run homer, followed by another two-run shot from Reilly-Boccia.

Batting was not the only strength in the Tide’s game Saturday. Pitching gave the Tide a defensive advantage in both games. Pitcher Kelsi Dunne only allowed two hits and no walks during the six innings she pitched against Samford. Of the 21 batters Dunne faced, she struck out 10. Kendall Dawson also played well against Samford.

Against Wallace State, Jackey Trina pitched four innings and Lauren Sewell pitched three innings. Trina faced 14 batters and only gave up three hits. Trina faced 17 batters. She gave up three hits as well. Trina also struck out 10 of her 17 batters.

The Tide went 7-0 in the spring season. During the final two games, many new players dressed out.

“A lot of new players got some at bats and a lot of people got innings,” head coach Patrick Murphy said. “Our newcomers got to put the uniform on and go out on the field, which will hopefully get the jitters out so we don’t have to worry about that in the spring.”

The Tide’s strong performance was an excellent way to close the fall season. The softball team will not play again until the 2011 season, which starts next semester.

“The whole team is excited to be able to end the season this way,” Reilly-Boccia said. “As a team we do still have things to work on, but we are ready to take care of business come spring.”

“We still have a few injuries.” Murphy said, “Hopefully the time will allow them to come back healthy and allow them to contribute to the team.”

During the offseason, the Tide will keep busy. The players will have a week off before returning to weight lifting and regular practices.

“We don’t have a lot of time in the offseason,” Murphy said. “Everyone is going to have to be ready to go as soon as the season starts.”