Alabama softball takes one of three vs. Texas A&M, drops series: Takeaways, observations

Alabama softball took one of three of its games vs. No. 11/12 Texas A&M, dropping its weekend series to the Aggies at Rhoads Stadium.

The Crimson Tide took the series opener 2-0 on Saturday for Kayla Beaver's sixth shutout of the season. The Aggies bounced back and evened the series on Sunday with a 17-6 win and took the series with a 9-4 win on Monday night.

The series puts Alabama at 21-8 all-time vs. the Aggies and 9-3 vs. them at Rhoads Stadium.

Here are observations and takeaways from Alabama softball's (30-10, 7-8 SEC) series vs. Texas A&M (32-10, 11-7 SEC).

Abby Duchscherer two run double is the difference on Saturday

Despite being outhit by the Aggies 6-2 in Saturday's matchup, Alabama's two hits came in the bottom of the second inning, and it was all it needed to hand Texas A&M just its third shutout loss of the season.

After a groundout by Bailey Dowling to lead off the inning for the Crimson Tide, Emma Broadfoot hit a single to reach first base. She was followed by Jenna Johnson, who was walked on a five-pitch at bat to go to first and move Broadfoot to second. Kenley Pate came in to pinch-run for Broadfoot, and after a Kali Heivilin strikeout, Pate and Johnson were brought home by a two-out double by Abby Duchscherer to get Alabama on the board. It was Duchscherer's fifth hit against SEC opponents this season.

"Abby [Duchscherer] needed that hit," Alabama softball coach Patrick Murphy said postgame. "She's been working really hard. She comes early, stays late and never complains. She had two strikes, and she came up with one of her biggest hits of the year."

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Alabama softball gives up program-high 17 runs on Sunday

The 17 runs the Crimson Tide gave up on Sunday makes for a program-high, beating the previous record of 16 runs allowed vs. Florida in the 2011 Women's College World Series.

Texas A&M scored three runs in the top of the first followed by another three in the top of the second. Alabama was able to get a run on the board in the bottom of the second on a solo home run by Bailey Dowling, but Texas A&M responded with a solo home run of their own in the top of the third.

The Crimson Tide were able to make it a two-run game in the fifth behind a three-run home run by Kendal Clark to make the score 7-5. That was the closest Alabama was able to get at the lead, though, as the Aggies put up 10 runs across the final two innings, including seven in the top of the seventh, to tie the series at one-game apiece.

Freshman pitcher Jocelyn Briski started in the circle for Alabama, going two innings and giving up six runs, five earned, off of four hits while walking one and striking out two. Alea Johnson came in for Briski in the second inning, going 2⅔ innings and giving up two runs, one earned, off of three hits to go with three strikeouts and three walks. Jaala Torrence saw two innings of action on Sunday, allowing three earned runs off of three hits. Alex Salter came in to get the final out for Alabama, allowing six runs, three earned, over ⅓ innings pitched.

Monday night's rubber match

After a scoreless three innings, Texas A&M was the first to get on the board in Monday night's series finale with two unearned runs in the top of the fourth to take the 2-0 lead. The Crimson Tide quickly responded, getting their first run on the board after a bases loaded walk sent Kenley Pate home. Kali Heivilin then hit a full-count single up the middle to bring home two runners and give Alabama the 3-2 edge.

The Aggies regained the lead in the fifth inning behind an RBI a piece by Kramer Eschete and Jazmin Hill, but the Crimson Tide had another quick response. Kenleigh Cahalan hit a leadoff triple in the fifth inning and was brought home by a wild pitch to tie the game at 4-all. Jenna Johnson hit a two-out single to reach base but was left stranded.

Texas A&M pulled away in the sixth inning to take a 9-4 lead. Aiyana Coleman and Amari Harper both had RBI doubles to score four runs, then a fielding error by Riley Valentine scored the fifth.

What's next?

Alabama softball travels to Fayetteville, Arkansas, for a three-game series with the Razorbacks from Friday through April 21. The Crimson Tide currently sit at the No. 8 spot in SEC softball rankings, with three conference series remaining (at Arkansas, vs. Tennessee, at Auburn).

Anna Snyder covers high school sports and University of Alabama softball and football recruiting for The Tuscaloosa News. Reach her at asnyder@gannett.com. Follow her on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, @annaesnyder2

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama softball: Observations, takeaways from SEC series vs. Texas A&M