The No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide entered the series against Texas A&M looking to bounce back following a tough road trip to Lexington last weekend, losing two of three in the series with Kentucky.
Led by an impressive day at the plate by senior Claire Jenkins, the Crimson Tide (27-4, 7-3 SEC) snapped their two-game losing streak in conference play, defeating Texas A&M (25-6, 4-3 SEC), 11-3 in game one of the weekend series.
Jenkins had career-best three hits and six RBI to led the Alabama offense, four of those RBI coming off a grand slam in the first inning.
Alexis Mack opened the Alabama half of the 1st inning with a bunt to the pitcher, which she beat out for an infield single. KB Sides would walk and Bailey Hemphill was hit by a pitch in the two following at-bats, setting up Kaylee Tow with an opportunity to give Alabama the early lead. Tow picked up an RBI single that gave the Tide a 1-0 lead and would leave the bases loaded for Jenkins. Jenkins then crushed the 2nd pitch of the at-bat over the left field wall to give Alabama the 5-0 lead before the first out was recorded.
The Cullman native would strike again in the 5th inning on a double, scoring Sides and Hemphill during Alabama’s three-run inning that put the run-rule into effect, ultimately leading the Tide to victory.
Elissa Brown had two hits for Alabama, while Bailey Hemphill had two RBI. Lexy Kilfoyl had a great day in the circle, allowing five hits while striking out eight in a complete-game effort.
Game two of the series with Texas A&M is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT on Friday at Rhodes Stadium in Tuscaloosa. Saturday’s series finale will begin at 11 a.m. CT, and will be televised by SEC Network.
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