Alabama softball takes one of three in SEC series vs. Arkansas: Takeaways, observations

Alabama softball took one of three games against No. 16/14 Arkansas, dropping its three-game SEC series vs. the Razorbacks at Bogle Park.

The Crimson Tide fell 1-0 in extra innings in the series opener on Friday, taking the game to nine innings but unable to put a run on the board. They bounced back on Saturday night behind a five-run fifth to take game two by a score of 5-1 and even the series at one game apiece. Arkansas run-ruled Alabama 8-0 in five innings in Sunday's game, behind a seven-run first inning to take the series.

Here are three takeaways and observations from Alabama softball's (31-12, 8-10 SEC) series vs. Arkansas (32-12, 11-7 SEC).

Alabama softball from the circle

Kayla Beaver started in the circle for the Crimson Tide in the series opener and finale. In the series opener, Beaver pitched a season-high 8⅓ innings to go with 122 pitches, allowing just one earned run off of nine hits. Sunday saw Beaver struggle, giving up a season-high seven earned runs and four walks over ⅔ innings pitched, including a two-run home run against the third Arkansas batter she faced.

Jaala Torrence came in for relief for Beaver in Sunday's contest, where she did not allow a run off of three hits and struck out three batters over 2⅓ innings pitched. Alea Johnson also saw time in the circle, pitching one inning, not allowing a run off of one hit while also striking out one.

Freshman Jocelyn Briski got the start in Saturday's game, pitching her third complete game of the season. Despite a shaky first inning, where a wild pitch allowed Arkansas to take a 1-0 lead, Briski did not allow another Arkansas run. She finished the game allowing six hits and striking out three while walking one, only allowing Arkansas two singles over the final three innings.

Jenna Johnson comes up clutch with three-run home run

In game two of the series, Alabama was trailing 1-0 with just one hit heading into the fifth inning, but a five-run fifth inning gave the Crimson Tide a lead they never relinquished.

An Arkansas fielding error allowed Alabama to score the game tying run, followed by a Lauren Johnson RBI single to give the Crimson Tide the 2-1 lead. Jenna Johnson then hit a three-run home run with two outs to make it a four-run game. It was Johnson's sixth home run of the season and her fifth multi hit game of the season.

Johnson finished the night going 2-for-4 from the plate to lead the Alabama offense, her other hit coming from a single in the fourth inning.

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Struggles from the plate

Outside of Saturday's seven hits, the Crimson Tide were only able to muster up seven hits between their other two games of the series — four on Friday and three on Sunday. It was Alabama's 14th game this season with under five hits, and it was its fourth time being shutout this season.

Kenleigh Cahalan had two of Alabama's four hits in Friday night's contest behind two singles, while Kendal Clark and Riley Valentine each had one apiece. In the series finale, Jenna Johnson led the team with two hits while Clark tallied the Crimson Tide's third hit of the game.

What's next?

Alabama hosts Tennessee for a three-game series this weekend at Rhoads Stadium. It will be the Crimson Tide's final home SEC series of the season.

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: Crimson Tide take one of three vs. Arkansas