GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A seven-run first inning set up Alabama softball for a series-opening win Thursday night in Gainesville, holding off a late Florida rally to win, 7-4.

Alabama’s (31-16, 8-8 SEC) got off to a fast start against Florida (37-10, 9-7 SEC), plating seven runs on four hits and two errors in the top of the first as 12 batters came to the plate in the big inning. The Gators chipped away at the lead but the Crimson Tide avoided the big inning, holding a 7-3 advantage heading to the bottom of the seventh. With two out and a runner at third, a hard-hit single up the middle scored a run for the Gators and a walk in the next at-bat brought the potential tying run to the plate. A high fly ball to left ended the rally and secured the 7-4 win for Alabama.

The seven runs scored in the first inning are the most for the Tide in an inning in SEC play since an eight-run fourth inning vs. Texas A&M on April 3, 2021. Audrey Vandagriff and Riley Valentine each had two hits, with Vandagriff driving in three RBIs on a first-inning double. Jocelyn Briski (12-10) earned the win, pitching 4.1 innings with Catelyn Riley earning the save behind her with 2.2 relief innings.

Highlights

• The seven runs are Alabama’s most in a game vs. Florida since a 15-3 win at the 2019 Women’s College World Series (June 1, 2019)
• The seven runs in the first inning are the most runs scored in an inning in SEC play for Alabama this season and its most in SEC play since scoring eight in the fourth inning vs. Texas A&M on April 3, 2021
• Alabama turned its 26th double play of the season to end the sixth inning, which is tied for the UA single-season school record that has stood since 2003
• Audrey Vandagriff posted her team-leading 18th multi-hit game of the season and tied her season best with three RBIs
• Vandagriff also swiped her NCAA-leading 47th stolen base of the season, putting her one shy of tying Elissa Brown (2019) and Brittany Rogers (2007) for fourth place on the Alabama single-season stolen base record list

Scoring Summary

• T1 | An errant throw on a sac bunt attempt allowed two Tide runs to score (2-0, 0 Out)
• T1 | Marlie Giles roped an RBI single through the right side (3-0, 1 Out)
• T1 | Lauren Johnson dropped an RBI double down the left field line (4-0, 1 Out)
• T1 | Audrey Vandagriff drove in three runs with a double into the left field corner (7-0, 2 Out)
• B1 | Kendra Falby scored on an RBI groundout (7-1, 1 Out)
• B3 | The Gators added another run on a hit and an error (7-2, 1 Out)
• B3 | Rylee Holtorf hit an RBI single through the left side (7-3, 1 Out)
• B7 | Kenda Falby punched an RBI single up the middle (7-4, 2 Out)

Up Next: at #6/8 Florida (Gainesville, Fla.)

• Friday, April 18 – 5 p.m. CT – SEC Network
• Saturday, April 19 – 1 p.m. CT – ESPN2