Alabama extends win streak to 25

TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama softball coach Patrick Murphy approached Wednesday’s doubleheader like a board game.

Murphy moved the pieces of his lineup around both for fun and with purpose at the Alabama Softball Complex, and the top-ranked Crimson Tide defeated Birmingham-Southern 9-1 and Samford 7-1 to run its winning streak to 25 games, tied for second-longest in school history.

“It was fun to pick and choose,” Murphy said. “Everybody got to play, got to pinch-hit or start. It seemed like I had a lot of different options.

“I think it was good to get everybody in there. Everybody deserves a chance.”

Nobody made more of the opportunity than freshman Whitney Larsen, who went 3-for-4 with a home run, driving in two runs and scoring twice, against Birmingham Southern. In that game she played in the outfield and hit in the leadoff spot. In the Samford game she played at shortstop and first base, going 1-for-2 with a walk and one run scored.

“Usually I think I’m going to play second [base], but that didn’t work out,” Larsen said. “[Murphy] tells me I’m going to move all over the field. He prepares me to play wherever.

“It’s a lot of fun, but I don’t have a first base glove. I have to borrow one. Maybe one day he’ll let me pitch.”

Montalvo, who usually plays third base, gave up her position to sophomore backup Alex Blewitt in the Birmingham-Southern game and then entered as a substitute in left field. In the Samford game she returned to third and hit a two-RBI single.

Montalvo also served as a warm-up catcher between innings at one point.

“I loved going out there and putting on that mask,” she said. “It’s great going out there and catching. Give me the gear.”

Said Murphy, “She catches three pitches and she gets a standing ovation.”

Alabama disposed of Birmingham-Southern, with former UA standout Stephanie VanBrakle on its coaching staff, in five innings by pounding out 12 hits off two different pitchers.

Dani Woods, Charlotte Morgan and Katie Johnson had two hits each, with Blewitt hitting a two-RBI double.

Winning pitcher Chrissy Owens (13-0) gave up one hit in five innings, with the Panthers scoring an unearned run in the top of the fifth to halt UA’s streak of holding opponents scoreless at 38 innings.

Brittany Rogers and Jordan Praytor went 2-for-3 to pace Alabama’s offense against Samford. Freshman Kelsi Dunne (19-3) gave up two hits in seven innings with five strikeouts for the win.

Sophomore Jessica Smith, who has been recovering from preseason knee surgery, played for the first time all season in the first game, going 1-for-3.

Longtime umpire James Gunter worked his last game at UA, announcing his retirement effective at the end of the season.

Reach Tommy Deas at tommy.deas@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-022