Gabriel, #11 Tennessee Edge #5 Alabama, 3-2

Thursday, April 23

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

8:00 PM

University of Tennessee

36-11, 12-7

#5 Alabama

36-11, 12-7

Tennessee

Alabama

April 23, 2015 | Softball

Box Score

April 23, 2015

Box Score

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Gretchen Aucoin hit an RBI double, Annie Aldrete hammered a two-run homer and Erin Gabriel was resilient in the circle as No. 11 Tennessee defeated No. 5 Alabama, 3-2, on Thursday at Rhoads Stadium.

Gabriel (14-5) contained the Alabama offense over seven innings, allowing just two runs and time and again leaving Alabama runners stranded. She struck out the last two batters in the seventh to get the victory. In total, the Crimson Tide left 13 runners on base.

Alexis Osorio (14-7) took the loss after giving up three runs over seven innings.

Aucoin gave UT a 1-0 lead in the first inning, clubbing an RBI double with two outs and driving in Meghan Gregg. On a full count, Aucoin knocked a 3-2 pitch off Osorio to left center for her third double of the season and 12th extra-base hit.

The Crimson Tide left a pair of runners stranded in the bottom of the second. With two on and one out, Gabriel induced a fielder's choice with Scarlet McSwain, Aldrete and Gregg combining for a 5-2-6-2 rundown at home plate. Gabriel got out of the jam when Leona Lafaele popped up to Gregg near the circle, leaving Alabama runners on second and third.

The third inning ended strangely as the initial call on the field was a Haylie McCleney lineout to the right side with second baseman Megan Geer turning a double play at first base. After a discussion between the umpires, the call was overturned with the runner deemed safe. Gabriel escaped the inning anyway as Danae Hays popped up to third base in the next at bat, stranding two Alabama runners.

Alabama left the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth. Gabriel induced a fielder's choice back to the circle and made the throw home to get the force out and preserve Tennessee's one-run lead.

Aldrete came up big with a two-run home run in the top of the sixth to push Tennessee's lead to 3-0. With two outs and Aucoin on first, Aldrete hammered the first pitch she saw for a home run to left center, her 13th blast of the season.

Alabama got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth when pinch runner Kallie Case scored from third base on a wild pitch by Rainey Gaffin. Gabriel had entered the circle in relief and inherited a 2-0 count on Chaunsey Bell, who drew a walk and subbed out for Case. Gabriel re-entered with two runners on and no outs. Alabama loaded the bases with no outs, but Gabriel and the UT infield escaped with three-straight infield pop ups.

The Crimson Tide drew to within 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh when Jadyn Spencer hit a one-out solo home run down the left field line. Bell drew a walk in the next at-bat to put the potential tying run on base. Gabriel settled in, sent Lafaele down looking on a 2-2 count and fanned Danielle Richard on a swinging strikeout to end the game.

Tennessee and Alabama will play the second-game of this week's three-game series on Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT/7:30 p.m. ET. That game will be streamed live online via SEC Network + and the WatchESPN app. Fans can also listen live on WNML 990 AM and UTSports.com with Brian Rice on the audio broadcast.