Gabby Callaway had a perfect night in Alabama’s 4-2 victory over Southern Miss on Wednesday at Rhoads Stadium.
In a game which Alabama (27-13, 7-8 SEC) was without its second leading hitter, Bailey Hemphill, Callaway went 3-for-3 with three RBI’s, including a two-run home run in the fifth inning to extend Alabama’s lead to 4-1.
“It doesn’t get much better than 3-for-3,” Alabama coach Patrick Murphy said. “With the type of game it was, we needed that. We were rolling over early, but she made a good adjustment.”
The three hits tied a career-high for Callaway, which included a third inning single that put Alabama in the lead in the third inning. It was the third time Callaway drove in three runs in a game.
Callaway now owns the second best batting average on the team, .336. She also has four home runs and 25 runs batted in.
Callaway has had multiple hits in five of her last nine games.
“I felt good,” Callaway said. “I worked some things out with Stephanie [Prothro] before the game. I was just focused on feeling my swing and making some adjustments to have squared away for the weekend. It’s nice that it worked out.”
Peyton Grantham got Alabama on the board with a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning, her third of the season.
“That was huge,” Callaway said. “The first RBI always seems like it’s the hardest. We were 1-2-3 before that. She was the first one that made the adjustment to the speed and then we were all, ‘It’s slow and spinny, but we can get on it.’”
Alabama had eight of its nine hitters reach base. It was the 10th game of the season Alabama hit at least two home runs in the game.
“We spread it around,” Murphy said. “I am pleased with the win.”
On the mound, Alabama starter Courtney Gettins had one of her better starts of the season. In seven complete innings of work, Gettins allowed one earned run on six hits.
Gettins struck out four and walked two batters for the game. She threw 96 pitches and was able to keep Murphy from using Alexis Osorio after two heavy workload weekends for the Alabama ace.
“She was under 100 pitches, the first time in a long time,” Murphy said. “She made the pitches when she needed to.”
Gettins improved to 11-3 on the year with a 2.12 ERA. With her 11th win, Gettins now leads the team.
“She gave up five hits the first three innings, but only three the rest of the way,” Murphy said. “She pitched much better third inning on. Good game for her.”
Alabama returns to action this weekend with a three-game series against No. 7 Tennessee. The first game of the series will be Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
“It’s going to be a tough weekend,” Murphy said. “They’re above in the RPI. It’s a big, big game for us. All of the last nine games are huge. We need to take care of business.”
