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May 7, 2009

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - No. 3 and second-seeded Alabama (46-8) got a 3-for-3 effort with a RBI from second baseman Lauren Parker, a homer and two RBIs from catcher Ashley Holcombe and four innings of one-hit pitching from junior starter Charlotte Morgan (15-6) to race past seventh-seeded Arkansas (27-27), 8-0 (5 inn.), on Thursday afternoon at the Lee Softball Stadium.

Crimson Tide right fielder Cassie Reilly-Boccia delivered two hits in three at-bats, while Morgan also contributed at the plate with a two-bagger and three runs-batted-in.

Arkansas catcher Whitney Cloer recorded the lone base knock in the contest for the Razorbacks in the fourth inning. Miranda Dixon took the loss from the circle, allowing three earned runs on three hits with two walks and a strikeout in 1.1 frames.

After a quick one-two-three for the Razorbacks in the top of the first, the Crimson Tide wasted no time jumping on Dixon in the bottom half. Lead-off hitter Brittany Rogers coerced a walk and quickly swiped second to reach scoring position. Parker followed with a RBI single back through the middle and then Morgan blasted a double into the gap in left center as 'Bama raced in front 2-0. A fielding miscue on the Razorback infield allowed pinch runner Liza Elizondo to cross as well as Alabama ended the opening frame with a three-run lead.

Cloer managed a lead-off walk versus Morgan in the top of the second, but UA's 5-10 pitcher settled down to retire Dixon, third baseman Amie Hubbard and first baseman Sandra Smith in order.

The Crimson Tide offense got right back to it in the bottom of the second as shortstop Kellie Eubanks drew a lead-off base-on-balls and advanced to third on a dropped throw at first during a bunt off the bat of left fielder Whitney Larsen. The duo pulled off a double steal as Eubanks brought home 'Bama's fourth run. Parker singled to right, placing runners at the corners with one down in the frame. That set the stage for a sacrifice fly to right from Morgan as the Tide's advantage improved to 5-0.

Holcombe followed a lead-off single down the right field line from Cassie Reilly-Boccia by blasting a two-run homer deep to left as the lead continued to grow at 7-0.

The Razorbacks managed their only base hit with two down in the top of the fourth as Cloer singled through the left side of the infield. Unfortunately for the Razorbacks, Dixon grounded out to third as the runner was left stranded at first.

Opening the bottom of the fourth, Larsen was struck by a pitch, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and moved to third on a single to right from Parker. Morgan brought the run-rule into play by driving her second sacrifice fly of the contest to right as the Tide's advantage improved to 8-0.

With one final chance to avoid an early day at the ballpark, Arkansas third baseman Amie Hubbard blooped a ball to left opening the top of the fifth but hit it a little too far as Larsen raced in to make the catch for the first out. Smith flew out to right and then second baseman Brittany Robison fouled out down the line to deep left, securing the 'Bama victory.

The Crimson Tide will face Kentucky in the SEC Tournament semifinals at 5 p.m. on Friday at the Lee Softball Stadium.