Alabama’s softball team extended its undefeated start to the season by securing two run-rule shutouts on Saturday at Rhoads Stadium during the Easton Bama Bash. The Crimson Tide defeated Liberty 8-0 and Purdue 8-0, bringing their record to 9-0.
In the first game, Alabama scored four runs in the second inning against Liberty and sealed the win with Audrey Vandagriff’s grand slam in the fifth inning. This was Vandagriff’s first career grand slam and her third home run of the season. She finished the day with three hits out of six at-bats and a career-best five RBIs.
The second matchup saw Alabama take an early lead over Purdue, adding five runs in the fourth inning. Alexis Pupillo hit a two-run home run as part of her senior day celebration. Both Pupillo and Salen Hawkins contributed three RBIs each, while Brooke Wells drove in two runs. Wells and Pupillo now lead the team with 14 RBIs apiece this year.
Pitching performances were strong for Alabama. Vic Moten improved to 5-0 after pitching five scoreless innings against Liberty, allowing only one hit and one walk. Jocelyn Briski earned her second win of the season with seven strikeouts in three innings versus Purdue.
Head Coach Patrick Murphy commented on Pupillo’s senior day: “It’s like a Hollywood script, you know? I told them before the first game, you don’t have to force it and try to ‘win one for the Gipper’ today. We’re just going to celebrate [Alexis Pupillo]. Whether you go 0-for-4 or 4-for-4, whether you throw a shutout or get smacked, who cares? The performance doesn’t matter. It’s just that you’re on this team, and we’re gonna celebrate you. This is the first senior day of seven this year, and hopefully it’s a trend that continues, because today was a really good one.”
With these results, Alabama now has five run-rule victories and five shutouts this season. Notably, Vandagriff’s five RBIs are the most by any Alabama player since Kali Heivilin recorded six last March against Iowa.
Alabama will continue play at the Easton Bama Bash on Sunday against Georgia Southern.
