The weekend began with the grand return of former long-time Patrick Murphy assistant Alyson Habetz, as well as her top aide, former All-SEC Crimson Tide catcher Lacey Prejean (2000-2003). Prejean was also director of operations alongside Murphy and Habetz for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. The weekend ended with the Tide gifting ULL a win.
GAME 1: ALABAMA 3, ULL 0
After giving up a double to begin the game, Bama starter Jocelyn Briski got the next three out with the second and third outs coming on strikeouts. The Tide sophomore really put on a show. She allowed only three hits and two walks in her first career complete game shutout on 100 pitches.
Habetz learned well from the master and used her own Gut® in opting to start Laffy’s No. 3 pitcher Bethaney Noble. The Rajuns hurler was cruising along until Abby Duchscherer walked to open the 4th inning. After an out, Brooke Ellestad tripled and Marlie Giles homered to left field to give the Tide a 3-0 lead.
Unfortunately, following the round-tripper, the Crimson Tide put their bats back on ice and would not create any more scoring threats. Fortunately, Briski was mowing down Rajuns batters. Outside of those two at-bats, ULL’s Noble was pitching well enough to get a win. Had this been an “off-day” for the Alabama pitching, three runs may have not been enough for the home team to earn the win. Hopefully, we will see more of this kind of performance from Briski.
Advertisement
Audrey Vandagriff stole base No. 28.
No errors!
GAME 2: ALABAMA 12, IOWA 3 (6 Inn. Run Rule)
For the second straight game, the opposing lead-off batter got on base with a double. This time, a run was scored when the next Hawkeyes batter singled. Catelyn Riley would only last 2.2 innings while giving up 3 runs on 5 hits. Emily Winstead pitched the remainder of the game, yielding only a single over 3.1 frames.
For the Bama offense, Michigan native Kali Heivilin went downright medieval on the Big Ten Hawkeyes. Alabama’s only 4-year senior twice went deep and had 6 RBI. Down 1-0 in the bottom of the 1st, Heivilin and Ellestad went back-to-back.
In the top of 3rd, two Iowa singles put runners at second and third bases. A fielding error by Ellestad scored one run and a double scored another to cut the Tide lead to one. It was at this point that Riley was lifted from the game for Winstead.
In the bottom of that frame, Bama got two runs back as Heivilin hit her second round-tripper of the game – a laser missile over the left field fence.
In the bottom of 5th, Riley added another Tide run with a solo shot to left field. But Alabama really put the game away in the 6th. With two outs and nobody on base, Alabama exploded forfour runs on a pair of singles, a HBP, a Heivilin triple, and a walk-off run rule home run by Ellestad.
I suppose we can forgive her error. ㋡
Advertisement
The first, second, and fourth Iowa batters each went 2 for 3 and accounted for all of the Hawyeyes’ hits. The rest of the team was a big fat 0-fer with one walk.
Vandagriff stole base No. 29.
Ellestad error.
GAME 3: ALABAMA 5, IOWA 1 – Kendal Clark Senior Day
In the 4th inning, Iowa had a single, walk, and single to open the scoring 1-0.
Alabama answered in the bottom of the inning by scoring 3 runs on 2 hits, a walk and 3 Iowa errors. In that same inning, there was a close play called out at third base. The out was challenged and overturned. The Iowa head coach argued the call and was ejected.
Jocelyn Briski had another fine showing, tossing 5.0 innings and scattering 5 hits and two walks with 1 run allowed.
Freshman Braya Hodges made her second appearance of the season, throwing a 1-2-3 6th inning. Alea Johnson duplicated that feat in the 7th.
Vandagriff stole base No. 30.
No errors.
GAME 4: ULL 4 ALABAMA 3
Vandagriff walked and swiped second base to open the game. A Duchscherer sac fly moved her to third base and Pupillo singled her in. Heivilin singled and Kennedy Marceaux picked up an RBI on a single of her own.
The Gut® opted to start Emily Winstead and probably stuck with her a little too long. In the 3rd inning, the Rajuns put runners at second and third with two outs. The next batter singled the two runners in to tie it up.
Advertisement
In the 4th, ULL again put runners at second and third. At this point, Riley entered the game and gave up a bunt single to give the away team a 3-2 lead.
Laffy scored a fourth run on Heivilin’s second error of the game.
The Tide scored on an error in the 7th but left the bases loaded and snapped their 13 game winning streak.
Vandagriff stole base No. 31.
Four errors: Heivilin (2), Hawkins (2).
The Gut® decided to bench red-hot Ellestad for this game.
NOTES
Advertisement
Curb your enthusiasm, Lollipop Rainbow Unicorns.
The inconsistency of this Alabama pitching staff is mind-boggling. Alea Johnson was lights out all last weekend and then she gets knocked around by Samford. Briski has been sketchy and then tosses a pair of gems. Riley and Winstead are intermittently dominant and rocky.
Ellestad has had some issues with her fielding but it is hard to keep her bat out of the lineup.
Abby Duchscherer cooled off (1 for 8, 1 run).
Marlie Giles (HR, 4 RBI) and Riley Valentine (0 hits, 0 BB, 0 HBP, 0 runs, 0 RBI) shared the catching duties with each starting two games. It is clear who needs to be starting.
Lauren Johnson got one at bat.
Kendal Clark was not so great on her Senior Day. She was hitless (0-6) in two starts over the weekend.
Whenever I see or hear the name “Winstead”, I always picture Mary Elizabeth Winstead (10 Cloverfield Lane, Scott Pilgrim vs the World, Grindhouse). And now you will too. You’re welcome.
Tuesday, Mar 11 at South Alabama 5pm/6pm Mobile, AL
SPRING BREAK SHOWDOWN
SEC play gets under way with the Bullies (19-3) coming to Tuscaloosa.
Friday, Mar 14 vs Mississippi State 6pm/7pm
Saturday, Mar 15 vs Mississippi State 2pm/3pm
Sunday, Mar 16 vs Mississippi State 1:30/2:30
HOW TO WATCH
¯_(ツ)_/¯ Alabama is not scheduled to have a game televised on regular TV until March 19 vs Florida State. In the meantime, keep shelling out that $12 a month to fill ESPN’s coffers.
Jameson Williams has an opportunity to have the best year of his young NFL career during the upcoming NFL season, according to the Detroit Lions’ wide receiver coach Scottie Montgomery. Williams is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
The former Alabama wideout is now looking to become a premier receiving threat in 2026, and Montgomery can see the step to becoming elite happening for Williams.
“We’ve worked very hard this preseason, even talking on the phone about the details needed to go from being a good player to being truly elite in our sport,” Montgomery said, according to MLive’s Kory Woods. “And then, from a mental standpoint, the way we work, not just at the beginning of a drill, but also at the end. Everything we do, his details, his vision, his catch points, his control points, everything we’re doing now, we did it in March and April, and it showed. We’re very excited about his current level. Without a doubt, this has been his best preseason, his best opportunity to grow as a player since we’ve been here for several reasons, but he’s done a good job.”
Advertisement
Williams is set to enter his fifth season in the NFL with the Lions.
The Lions have benefitted from back-to-back impressive seasons for Williams. He finished last season with 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns on 65 receptions.
Justin Smith is the Managing Editor and Lead Writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine with over 10 years of writing experience & expertise. Smith has consistently delivered high quality, extensively researched information on the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide football team that fans can trust. Smith is official credentialed media with the University of Alabama under Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He is also the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Enterprises, specializing in scouting and analyzing high school recruits around the nation, specifically focusing on recruits within the state of Alabama.
A former Alabama inmate is facing multiple charges after authorities say he was caught flying a drone carrying contraband toward Holman Correctional Facility.
According to the Alabama Department of Corrections, the agency’s Southern K-9 unit received information around 6 p.m. Saturday, June 27, that someone was operating a drone from Interstate 65 toward the prison.
With assistance from the Atmore Police Department, officers located and arrested Edward Knight, a former inmate, without incident.
Investigators said the drone had a package attached, which was safely brought down and confiscated.
Advertisement
Knight was charged with first-degree possession of marijuana and two counts of illegal drone operation.
During the investigation, ADOC agents said they learned Knight had additional contraband at his residence in Birmingham. Investigators with the department’s Law Enforcement Services Division, K-9 unit and narcotics team later executed a search warrant at the home and seized additional evidence related to the case.
The investigation remains ongoing, and ADOC said additional charges could be filed.
SELMA, Ala. (WSFA) – Alabama is under its first heat advisory of the season as dangerously high temperatures and humidity combine to push heat index values into the triple digits.
The National Weather Service issued the advisory as conditions increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for older adults, young children, people with chronic medical conditions, and anyone who works or spends extended time outdoors.
Selma Fire Chief Walter Dailey says it doesn’t take long to feel the effects of the extreme heat.
“It’s hot,” Dailey said after spending just a few minutes outside. “I’m sweating. I can feel it running down my back.”
Advertisement
For firefighters, the dangers are even greater. Dailey says crews often respond to emergencies while wearing nearly 150 pounds of protective gear, causing them to lose significant amounts of fluids in a short period of time.
“In the first 30 minutes, we’re able to sweat out about four or five gallons of actual fluids from our bodies,” he said. “So hydration is extremely important for us.”
Even though the temperatures are soaring, emergency calls don’t stop. Dailey says firefighters continue responding to structure fires, grass fires and other emergencies while adjusting their daily routines when possible to limit unnecessary time outdoors during the hottest parts of the day.
He warns that heat exhaustion and heat stroke can develop much faster than many people realize.
“Heat exhaustion is serious business,” Dailey said. “It happens in a matter of minutes.”
Advertisement
Tips to stay safe during extreme heat
Dailey encourages residents to:
Drink plenty of water throughout the day instead of waiting until you feel thirsty.
Replace fluids and electrolytes if you are working or exercising outdoors.
Wear lightweight, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing.
Take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned building.
Avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, generally between late morning and early evening when possible.
Check on older neighbors, relatives and anyone who may be especially vulnerable to the heat.
Never leave children or pets unattended inside a parked vehicle, even for a short amount of time. Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly within minutes.
What if your home doesn’t have air conditioning?
For people living in homes without air conditioning, officials recommend spending as much time as possible in cooler public places such as libraries, community centers, shopping malls or other designated cooling locations during the hottest hours of the day.
Closing blinds or curtains to block direct sunlight, using fans to improve airflow, limiting the use of ovens and other heat-producing appliances, and drinking water frequently can also help reduce the risk of heat-related illness.
If someone begins experiencing heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, confusion, weakness or stops sweating despite the heat, move them to a cooler location immediately, provide water if they are alert, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or do not improve.
As temperatures remain dangerously high, Dailey says one of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until they feel thirsty.
“At the point you’re already sweating, if you’re not drinking, you’re already behind on being hydrated,” he said.
Advertisement
Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store!
