On March 26th The University of Alabama came to Florence to play the Lions in softball. The Florence Sportsplex was packed with over 3,000 attendees, all looking forward to a big game. Austin Bohannon and Gary Nichols, local musicians, even played before the game.
The game started at a lightning fast pace, clearing three innings incredibly quickly. It wasn’t until the end of the 3rd when UNA got the upperhand, with Hammons and Dover scoring on back to back pitches.
After the miracle of the third inning, the action slowed as each team gave it everything they had. With the Tide at the plate, two got on base but they just couldn’t bring them home. Meanwhile in the bottom, UNA got caught stealing, and struck out twice.
UNA pitcher Alivia Wilken kept the Tide at bay, throwing out over 130 pitches over the course of the game. However, at the beginning of the 7th it was obvious she was running out of steam. Unfortunately, this decision to have Wilken finish the game led to the Lions’ downfall.
Beginning in the 7th, Alabama went on a run, scoring two early in the inning, but the run did not stop there. Another two were added to the scoreboard before the Lions decided to take out the spent Alivia Wilken. Kaylee Snyder stepped in for Wilken at the end of the top of the 7th, but at that point it was too late. Alabama left the inning 4-4 with two runners left on base.
The bottom of the seventh was a sorry sight to behold. The Lions got on base, but nothing could be done against the Alabama defense. They were ready to be done, almost as if a switch had been flipped and everything that could go wrong, did.
In the end, the Alabama Crimson Tide won 4-2. After a seemingly hopeful beginning for the Lions, several defensive miscues brought them down hard and fast.
After the game however, it was all smiles. Players on both sides sat on the field and gave autographs to fans. As the crews tore down everything to make the game possible, Austin Bohannon sang some country songs.
At around 10 pm, the Florence Sportsplex returned to its original state. But all of the memories remained for the players, the workers and the fans in attendance. So While UNA may not have won against their proverbial Goliath, everybody who was there that night would call it a victory.
