Alabama Falls to AUM in Fall Opener

A late comeback by Alabama softball fell just short in its fall opener Sunday at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide fell to Auburn-Montgomery, 5-4.

The two teams traded the lead back and forth throughout the scheduled 10 innings of play, with Alabama heading to the bottom of the 10th trailing 5-4. The Tide loaded the bases with two away but ultimately could not push a runner across.

It was a combined effort out of the bullpen, with three pitchers taking the mound. Freshman Montana Fouts saw the most time in the circle, throwing 3.2 hitless innings with nine strikeouts with the only baserunners allowed reaching via errors. Sophomore Krystal Goodman started the game, exiting after 3.0 innings before junior Sarah Cornell pitched 3.1 relief innings behind her.

Alabama’s first runs of the day came in the bottom of the first on a two-run home run from junior Bailey Hemphill, part of a 2-for-2 day for the Lafayette, La., native. With two on base in the third inning, a single up the middle from senior Merris Schroder accounted for the Tide’s third run of the day and a sixth-inning double from sophomore KB Sides tallied the fourth and final run.

Alabama softball resumes fall action Friday, Oct. 12 against West Alabama at 6:30 p.m. CT at Rhoads Stadium.

For the latest information on the team, follow @AlabamaSB on Twitter, BamaSB on Instagram and Alabama Softball on Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.