Defeats Jacksonville State 7-4 in Huntsville
A pair of Alabama softball players drove in five runs off two home runs, securing a 7-4 victory over Jacksonville State on Tuesday. The game was played at Toyota Field in Huntsville, Alabama, as part of the Rocket City Showcase.
Jax State (7-3) took an early lead over #21 Alabama (6-5) in the second inning after a two-RBI single, but with two outs in the bottom of the third, Alexis Pupillo hit a three-run bomb over the right field wall to push the Tide to a 3-2 lead.
The Crimson Tide tacked on four more runs—including a two-run homer by Kali Heivilin— to increase the lead to 7-2. Closer Emily Winstead picked up her first save of the season in conserving the 7-4 Tide victory.
“It was a great homecoming for Larissa Preuitt and Mari Hubbard,” Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said. “I know both young ladies had a ton of family and friends in the stands. Anyone in the stands tonight got to see one of the longest home runs in Alabama softball history with Alexis Pupillo’s bomb in the bottom of the third!”
SCORING SUMMARY
Inning 2: (Jax State) Nowakowski singled (2 RBI) to center field with the bases loaded. Davis and Underwood scored.
Inning 3: (Alabama) Pupillo homered (3 RBI) to right field. Preuitt and Vandagriff scored.
Inning 4: (Alabama) Johnson reached on a fielder’s choice. Hawkins scored.
Inning 4: (Alabama) Preuitt singled (1 RBI) up the middle. Johnson scored.
Inning 5: (Alabama) Heivlin homered (2 RBI) to center field. Giles scored.
Inning 6: (Jax State) Elrod doubled (1 RBI) down the right field line. Davis scored.
Inning 6: (Jax State) Nowakowski singled (1 RBI) to right. Elrod scored.
NOTES
- Heivlin recorded her third home run in the last four games and extended her hitting streak to eight games. Aubrey Vandagriff extended hers to seven.
- Alexis Pupillo had a season-high three RBI.
- Emily Winstead recorded her first save since her freshman season at UNCW (2022)
- Alabama has officially had at least one baserunner in 58 out of 72 innings so far this season (81%).
Upcoming for the Tide: EASTON BAMA BASH (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
- Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Virginia Tech – 4 p.m. CT
- Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Southern Utah – 6:30 p.m. CT
- Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Drake (DH) – 11 a.m. CT
- Sunday, Feb. 23 vs. Virginia Tech – 12:30 p.m. CT
Photos courtesy UA Athletics
