Alabama Softball Sweeps Arkansas as Lead-Up to the SEC Tournament

The Crimson Tide softball team is clicking on all cylinders as they head into the SEC Tournament. In the three game sweep, Bama scored 24 runs and gave up three. They have won five straight games and 14 of their last 16.

GAME 1: BAMA 9 Arkansas 1

Leona Lafaele was the first to don the superhero cape as she drove in a career-high five RBI highlighted by a three-run dinger in the third inning. Kallie Case was playing little ball turning three singles into extra bases and runs. After a first inning hit, she took second base on a throw to third and came around to score on a fielder's choice. In both the third and fifth innings, she singled, stole second, and eventually scored.

Alexis Osorio earned the win with 5.2 innings pitched, including eight strikeouts.

GAME 2: BAMA 14 Arkansas 2

Saturday was Marisa Runyon's turn as she became only the second player in Alabama history to hit three home runs in a game. Jaclyn "J-Train" Traina also accomplished this feat in 2011. Runyon compiled 5 RBI on the night. Every starter had at least one hit.

Leslie Jury picked up her tenth win of the season giving the Tide three pitchers with ten or more wins.

GAME 3: BAMA 1 Arkansas 0

The series finale was a real nail-biter. Both teams threw donuts through six innings until senior shortstop Danae Hays pushed the Tide ahead on an infield single that scored Runyon from third in the top of the seventh inning.

Sydney Littlejohn (15-1) was spectacular throwing a complete game shutout with one walk, three Ks and allowing only three singles.

SEC TOURNAMENT

Alabama (41-11, 17-7 SEC) now prepares for the SEC Tournament held in Baton Rouge, La. The Tide is the No. 3 seed earning a bye in the first round. Florida is the 1-seed. Auburn is #2, with host team LSU picking up the 4-seed.

The Crimson Tide will face the winner of Georgia/Ole Miss on Thursday, May 7 at 12:30 PM CT. The game can be seen on the SEC Network. Tickets.

While it would be nice to win the tournament, it is not really necessary for the future of the season for Alabama. As a top 5 team, they are basically guaranteed to be the top seed in their regional tournament.

2015 SEC TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE (BATON ROUGE, LA.)
Wednesday, May 6
#7 Missouri 9, #10 Mississippi State 0
#6 Georgia 11, #11 Ole Miss 0
#9 South Carolina 6, #8 Texas A&M 3
#5 Tennessee 5, #12 Kentucky 4
Thursday, May 7
#2 Auburn 5 Mizzou 2
#3 Alabama 2 Georgia 1
#1 Florida 10 South Carolina 1
#5 Tennessee 7 #4 LSU 5
Friday, May 8 (ESPNU)
2 p.m. CT - Auburn vs. Alabama
4:30 p.m. CT - Florida vs. Tennessee
Saturday, May 9 (ESPN2)
7 p.m. CT - Game Nine Winner vs. Game 10 Winner

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