• Softball Home
• |
• Lee Stadium
• |
• Coaches
• |
• Archives

May 9, 2009

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A five-run first inning dug No. 1 Florida (55-3) out of an early two-tally deficit as the Gators raced past No. 3 Alabama (47-9), 8-5, and secured the school's second consecutive Southeastern Conference Tournament title on Saturday afternoon at the Lee Softball Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.

Shortstop Megan Bush blasted a first inning grand slam for the Gators, while right fielder Kelsey Bruder posted a 2-for-3, three-RBI effort to help lead the UF offensive attack. For the Tide, designated player Charlotte Morgan (2-for-3), catcher Ashley Holcombe (0-for-1) and pinch hitter Kendall Dawson (0-for-1) each posted single RBIs.

Stacey Nelson picked up the win in the circle for Florida, allowing three earned runs on five hits during a complete game effort to improve to 35-3. Alabama's Kelsi Dunne dropped to 24-3 after permitting seven earned scores on six hits in 5.1 frames.

Alabama quickly got its lead-off batter of the game on-base as a throwing error on a bunt out in front of the plate allowed center fielder Brittany Rogers to reach safely. With second baseman Lauren Parker at the plate, the runner took off for second but was gunned down on a strong throw from Gator catcher Kristina Hilberth. That proved to be a run-saving decision for UF as the Crimson Tide's Parker coerced a walk and then designated player Charlotte Morgan singled through the left side. With runners at first and second and one down, right fielder Cassie Reilly-Boccia also walked, loading the bags for catcher Ashley Holcombe. She was struck in the leg by a pitch from Florida starter Stacey Nelson, forcing in the game's first run as Parker crossed for a 1-0 lead. With first baseman Amanda Locke at the dish, Nelson uncorked a wild pitch to the backstop allowing Morgan to score from third as 'Bama nabbed a 2-0 advantage. Locke and UA left fielder Whitney Larsen each struck out to end the frame, but the damage had been done as the Tide grabbed a stunning two-run lead.

Faced with a quick deficit for the second straight game after falling behind Tennessee 3-0 through the top of the first on Friday night, Florida lead-off hitter Aja Paculba was hit by a Kelsi Dunne pitch to get aboard. UF designated player Tiffany DeFelice ripped a shot down the third base line. Alabama's Kelley Montalvo dove to her right into foul ground and managed to corral the sphere on an outstanding play for a big first out. First baseman Ali Gardiner managed a four-pitch walk and left fielder Francesca Enea was struck on the forearm by a pitch, loading the bases for right fielder Kelsey Bruder and her 15 HR's. She didn't need the long ball to knock in a run, however, as Bruder drew a walk, forcing in a score and cutting the UF deficit to 2-1. Third baseman Corrie Brooks bounced slowly to her opposite counterpart as Montalvo charged the roller and tossed home for a force. With two retired in the frame, shortstop Megan Bush battled Dunne over a 16-pitch at-bat before blasting a grand slam deep to left as the Gators rallied again in the bottom of the first to nab a 5-2 lead.

After 'Bama left a runner stranded in the top half of the second, Florida got a rally going with two down in the bottom half all without the benefit of a hit. DeFelice walked, an error on a fielder's choice allowed Gardiner to reach and then Enea was struck by a pitch, loading the bases for Bruder. She worked to a 2-2 count but swung and missed at strike three as Dunne helped keep the Crimson Tide in the match-up.

UA's Morgan christened the top of the third by being struck on the foot by a Nelson pitch. Cassie Reilly-Boccia followed with a bouncing single through the right side of the infield, placing two Crimson-clad runners on the base paths with still none retired. Holcombe swung and lifted a foul toward the third base dugout that was caught at the wall by Brooks for the initial out. Nelson managed to get Locke swinging at strike three and then K'ed Larsen to escape a two-runner jam.

Paculba got the Gator offense rolling again in the bottom of the fourth by leading off the frame with a triple down the right field line. DeFelice caught the Tide infield by surprise, dropping a squeeze bunt to the circle that plated the runner from 60 feet away for a 6-2 advantage. Enea was hit by a Dunne pitch with two retired, and Bruder followed by driving a shot into the left center field gap as pinch runner Brooke Johnson scored UF's seventh run all the way from first.

Alabama clawed back within 7-3 in the top of the fifth as the SEC Player of the Year Morgan blasted a solo shot off Nelson over the scoreboard in left. The big fly marked the first homer given up by Nelson during the entire 2009 campaign.

UF's DeFelice managed to reach successfully leading off the bottom of the sixth on a poor throw to first on an infield ground ball. Following a Gator K, Enea walked as UF boasted two runners aboard with just one out in the inning. That set the stage for Bruder as she blasted a single back through the middle of the infield, scoring pinch runner Lauren Heil from second as the lead grew to 8-3. That ended the day in the circle for Dunne as Locke was summoned into the contest in relief. The new pitcher immediately retired Brooks on a solid play at third by Montalvo and got Bush on a bouncer to first to limit the damage to just one run.

Down to their last chance, Parker stepped in to lead off the top of the seventh frame. She ripped a single just over the glove of a leaping Paculba at second to give the Tide some hope. Morgan dropped a routine grounder to short that traveled right through the legs of Bush and into left field, placing two aboard with still no one retired as UA started to string a threat together. With Reilly-Boccia at the dish, Nelson unleashed a wild pitch to advance the runners up 60 feet into scoring position. Nelson walked Reilly-Boccia to pack the bags, and then consecutive groundouts from pinch hitter Cat Dozier and Locke, plated a pair as the Tide cut the deficit to 8-5. That was as close as Alabama could get as Larsen struck out swinging to end the championship contest.

2009 SEC Tournament All-Tourney Team
Molly Johnson, Kentucky
Rachel Riley, Kentucky
Erinn Webb, Tennessee
Jen Lapicki, Tennessee
Charlotte Morgan, Alabama
Lauren Parker, Alabama
Ashley Holcombe, Alabama
Aja Paculba, Florida
Kelsey Bruder, Florida
Corrie Brooks, Florida
Kristina Hilberth, Florida

2009 SEC Tournament Most Valuable Player
Kristina Hilberth, Florida