TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama softball persevered through chilly weather in its home opener Friday at Rhoads Stadium, powering past Wichita State, 13-2, before shutting out Penn State, 5-0.

Alabama's (6-5) bats were hot in the day's opening contest against Wichita State (5-8), with seven different players tallying a hit in the convincing 11-run win. Stellar pitching in the circle and timely hits resulted in a shutout over Penn State (5-7) in the day's second game, the Crimson Tide's second shutout victory of the season.

On the day, senior Alexis Mack was steady at the leadoff spot going a combined 4-for-6 between the two games with two walks and three stolen bases. Ten of Alabama's 18 hits on Friday were doubles, led by three from sophomore Skylar Wallace . SEC Freshman of the Week Lexi Kilfoyl (3-2) allowed just two runs, one earned, on two hits across 5.0 innings against the Shockers while sophomore Montana Fouts (1-2) was lights-out against the Nittany Lions, allowing just two hits and no walks with 11 strikeouts.

From Head Coach Patrick Murphy

"I thought everybody had really good at-bats in the first game. In the second game, when you face four different pitchers it's almost like playing in the MLB All-Star Game where there's a different pitcher every inning. You can't make an adjustment because it's lefty, righty, lefty then righty. I was really pleased with Jenna Johnson getting down the squeeze bunt. Alexis Mack was great as the leadoff, getting hits and turning the lineup over. She did a great job."

Highlights

Alabama's hitting was well-balanced against Wichita State, with seven different players tallying a hit

Wallace's two doubles against the Shockers are a career high and mark the first time a Tide player has hit two doubles in a game since Reagan Dykes on April 28, 2019 vs. Kentucky

on April 28, 2019 vs. Kentucky Mack's three hits vs. Penn State tie a season high and marks her third multi-hit game this season

Senior Bailey Hemphill extended her reached base streak to nine-straight games

extended her reached base streak to nine-straight games The 11 strikeouts are the most for Fouts since fanning 12 against Arizona State in last year's NCAA Regional round (May 18, 2019) and it is her first walk-free game since facing Texas in the NCAA Super Regional round (May 23, 2019)

Scoring Summary

vs. Wichita State B1st | With two on base, senior Bailey Hemphill pulled a single through the right side to score senior Alexis Mack from second (Alabama 1, Wichita State 0) B1st | A bases-loaded walk to freshman Lexi Kilfoyl moved everyone up 60 feet (Alabama 2, Wichita State 0) B1st | A bases-loaded single by junior Maddie Morgan drove in two to double the Tide's lead (Alabama 4, Wichita State 0) B1st | A two-out fielding error extended the inning as another run came home (Alabama 5, Wichita State 0) B1st | In her second at-bat of the inning, Mack laced a single up the middle as two runs scored (Alabama 7, Wichita State 0) B2nd | A hard-hit single up the middle deflected off the Wichita State pitcher as sophomore Skylar Wallace came home on the RBI single from junior KB Sides (Alabama 8, Wichita State 0) B2nd | Wichita State got a forceout at third with the bases loaded but a run came home on the fielder's choice RBI (Alabama 9, Wichita State 0) B2nd | Wallace tacked on two more with a double to left field (Alabama 11, Wichita State 0) T3rd | Kaylee Huecker led off the inning with a solo home run (Alabama 11, Wichita State 1) T3rd | A fielding error extended the inning and scored another run (Alabama 11, Wichita State 2) B4th | Wallace's second double of the day scored freshman Abby Doerr from second (Alabama 12, Wichita State 2) B4th | In her first collegiate at-bat, freshman Karla Hice dropped an RBI double down the left field line (Alabama 13, Wichita State 2)

vs. Penn State B2nd | A bunt from freshman Jenna Johnson with two in scoring position moved both up 60 feet to drive in a run (Alabama 1, Penn State 0) B2nd | A first-pitch single from Mack through the left side drove in Doerr from third (Alabama 2, Penn State 0) B3rd | Morgan went opposite field for an RBI double to drive in Sides from second (Alabama 3, Penn State 0) B6th | As a pinch hitter, senior Taylor Clark stood up at second after a double down the left field line to drive in Doerr (Alabama 4, Penn State 0) B6th | Wallace laced a hard-hit double past the Penn State third baseman to add another run (Alabama 5, Penn State 0)



Up Next

Alabama continues play at the Easton Bama Bash on Saturday, facing Louisville at 1:30 p.m. CT and Penn State at 4 p.m. CT.

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