Alabama softball's bats came alive on Sunday as the Crimson Tide avoided a sweep with an 8-5 win over No. 5/7 LSU at Tiger Park in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The No. 24/23 Crimson Tide was run-ruled, 8-0, in the series opener on Friday night, its second run-rule loss this season. LSU claimed the series behind a 2-1 victory on Saturday before Alabama bounced back Sunday. It marks the third conference series Alabama has dropped this season.
Alabama moves to 44-49 all-time against LSU and 13-27 in games played in Baton Rouge.
Here are observations and takeaways from Alabama softball (28-15, 5-7 SEC) vs. LSU (34-5, 8-4 SEC).
Johnson, Vandagriff power Alabama softball offense in series finale
Alabama's 11 hits on Sunday was its 16th multi-hit game of the year. Lauren Johnson finished with four RBIs, coming up clutch with a fourth inning double to give Alabama the lead. Her four RBIs and three hits each marked career highs. Marlie Giles had three hits — her sixth multi-hit game of the year — and Audrey Vandagriff three RBIs off of a three-run home run in the seventh.
Friday and Saturday were a different story, Alabama's offense managing just seven combined hits between the two games.
Four hits came on Friday, matching the Crimson Tide's then season low for the third time. Alabama was then held to three on Saturday, for a new season-low. LSU’s Jayden Heavener carried a no-hitter into the fourth before Catelyn Riley broke it up with a single. Alabama managed two more hits the rest of the way — singles from Salen Hawkins and Johnson.
Pitching against LSU lineup
Alabama nearly tied ...
