by The crack of the bat echoed throughout Jack-Turner Softball Stadium. The crowd watched as the ball carried, right into the construction taking place behind the left field wall.
The home run by senior Ellie Armistead made the difference in Georgia’s 4-2 victory over Alabama Friday evening at Jack-Turner Softball Stadium.
Despite an electric crowd for Georgia’s SEC opener, the Bulldogs’ offense started off slow, only mustering up three hits in the first three innings. However, senior Madison Kerpics also kept the Crimson Tide at bay, limiting them to one run over that stretch.
“She didn’t have her ‘A’ stuff,” head coach Tony Baldwin said. “But she competed and got us through the lineup twice. She gave us a chance to win the game.”
In her four innings in the circle, Kerpics only allowed two hits and one run. Her performance was impressive, especially for a pitcher that was missing her best pitches. Kerpics’ showing earned her win No. 8 on the season, tying junior Lilli Backes for the team lead.
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth, senior Jayda Kearney got the hitting started with a single to right field on an 0-2 count. Baldwin then substituted Kearney for pinch-runner Hayley Eaton, in an attempt to get the tying run home.
However, speed did not matter, as four batters later, Armistead sent a pitch out of the park. The homer gave the Bulldogs a 3-1 lead with three innings left to play.
Alabama’s lone remaining run came in the fifth, when Kali Heivilin homered off of graduate Shelby Walters to bring the Crimson Tide’s deficit to one. However, Georgia responded in the bottom of the inning, as a single by graduate Sara Mosley and speedy running from freshman Hannah Davila gave the Bulldogs a 4-2 lead.
Aside from the one homer, Walters had a flawless showing. In 2.1 innings, she allowed one hit, one run and no walks. Baldwin has liked what he’s seen from his ace recently, saying Walters is starting to look like her dominant self again.
Both teams were held scoreless over the final two innings, as Backes followed Walters to shut the door on the Crimson Tide and secure Georgia’s 4-2 victory. The win took place on a beautiful day in front of a well-energized crowd, which is something Baldwin told the Bulldogs to cherish.
“I just talked to our team about taking a minute to take it all in,” Baldwin said. “Unbelievable environment it was. On a crazy weather kind of day where you kind of thought, ‘Man, we’re not going to get to play,’ it ends up being a nice night. And the crowd was crazy.”
Georgia has two games remaining in its series against Alabama, with both games being matinees. They will begin at 12 p.m. and take place at the Bulldogs’ home field, in front of what is expected to be another raucous crowd.
“I’m just so thankful for Dawg Nation coming out and supporting us,” Baldwin said. “It made a difference. We could feel them tonight, and it’s just an awesome college softball game.”
