Alabama, ranked No. 1 in one of the four major polls this week, defeated South Alabama 8-0 on April 7 at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa.
The game marked the final regular-season, non-conference matchup for South Alabama this spring. The Jaguars now hold a record of 24-18 while Alabama improves to 36-3.
South Alabama had early opportunities but left runners on base in the second, third, and fourth innings. Lillie Stagner drew a walk and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch in the second inning, but was stranded after Kaitlyn Pallozzi induced a ground out. In the third inning, Brooklynn Bockhaus walked and Presley Lively reached on an error during a sacrifice bunt attempt; however, Pallozzi got a double play and then ended the threat with a fly out.
Alabama took control by scoring runs in four of five innings played. Marlie Giles opened scoring for Alabama after reaching base with her sixth double of the season and coming home on an error. The Crimson Tide added two more runs in the third inning through singles from Alexis Pupillo and Ana Roman along with aggressive baserunning. A big fourth inning saw Brooke Wells hit her sixteenth home run of the season—a three-run shot—and Giles contributed another RBI-double to extend their lead to seven runs. Wells finished off the game with an RBI-single in the fifth.
For South Alabama, Mambelli and Kara Wine recorded their only hits; Mambelli also extended her career-best streak by reaching base safely for an eleventh consecutive game. She has reached base safely multiple times in fifteen games this spring. Wine has now hit safely or reached base via walk or RBI in twenty-two of her last twenty-eight games.
South Alabama will return home next to host Georgia State for a three-game series starting Friday at Jaguar Field.
