Alabama fell behind on Saturday and could not respond. On Sunday, the team was more aggressive in its 3-2 victory over No. 4 Florida.
Alabama starter Courtney Gettins got in to trouble in the very first inning, walking the first two Florida hitters before the third reached on an error by Bailey Hemphill.
Both Hemphill and Gettins quickly redeemed themselves. Gettins induced a grounder to first and Hemphill fired the ball home to start a 3-2-4 double play. Gettins struck out Aleshia Ocasio, the opposing pitcher, to get out of the jam unscathed.
“I was a little upset with myself for making that error,” Hemphill said. “I just told myself if its hit to me again, I have to get at least one out. Lucky enough Reagan [Dykes] was able to turn to and get us out of that jam.”
The Alabama offense, fired up by the defense making a huge stand, came out and gave Alabama an early advantage.
“We were lucky enough to score first,” Hemphill said. “It changed the whole momentum of the game. It’s easier to play ahead than from behind.”
Elissa Brown reached on a single and stole second base. Kaylee Tow drove her in and gave Alabama the 1-0 advantage.
Gettins again loaded the bases with no outs in the third inning. Another defensive gem, this time Merris Schroder throwing out a runner at the plate on an attempted sacrifice fly, gave Alabama a much needed double play. Gettins got out of the jam without allowing a run by striking out Ocasio again.
“We practice that play all the time,” Brown said. “Catching it and throwing the ball home. I was really proud of Merris for stepping up and making that play in a pressure situation.”
Florida finally broke through in the fourth inning when Sophia Reynoso hit a solo home run to tie the game. In the bottom of the frame, Alabama responded right away with a solo home run from Hemphill.
“It was great to see us respond immediately each time Florida scored a run,” coach Patrick Murphy said. “The bounce-back was huge today.”
The Gators tied the game again in the fifth inning, but Alabama had another response. This time it was a Sydney Booker solo home run to give Alabama the lead for good.
Booker’s home run was her fourth of the season, all during SEC play. She had two home runs in a game last week at Kentucky.
“When she came back to the dugout, she told me ‘I’m just trying to be like you,’” Hemphill said. “I told her, ‘no, I’m trying to be like you.’ Lately she’s been on fire and been a huge spark for our team.”
Gettins pitched 4.2 innings for Alabama on Sunday, allowing two earned runs on six hits. She struck out two and walked six.
Alexis Osorio picked up the victory in relief, improving her record to 9-4 on the year, with a 1.86 ERA.
“She looked like the regular Osorio,” Murphy said. “I knew she’d come back bigger and better, hit her spots.”
Alabama and Florida will conclude the three game series on Monday at 6 p.m. Murphy anticipates all three of his pitchers being available for the rubber match.
