Aggie Softball drops series opener on the road to Alabama, 6-2

The No. 9 Aggie softball team dropped (40-13, 13-9 SEC) the first game against Alabama 6-2 Friday night in Tuscaloosa, struggling in the circle and to keep pace with the Tide’s offense.

A&M was the first to get on the scoreboard. In the top of the first, Sarah Hudek would work a walk. A few batters later, Ashley Walters hit an RBI double down the left field to bring her in and put the Aggies in front.

The Crimson Tide would answer back with a three-spot in the home half of the inning. With two runners on base, Laura Hemphill launched a three-run home run over the left-center field wall.

The Maroon and White were able to scratch across a run again in the second. After both Keeli Milligan and Erica Russell would reach base on a walk and a single respectively, Tori Vidales plated Russell with an RBI double down the left-field line.

Alabama would strike again in the bottom of the second inning. After reaching base with a single and a few batters later, Elissa Brown reached on a throwing error that allowed Merris Schroder to cross the plate.

The Tide would cap off the scoring in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI single from Demi Turner up the middle and a sac fly hit by Hemphill.

Trinity Harrington (13-3, 2.00 ERA) started in the circle for A&M and struggled in her outing — allowing six runs, five of them earned, in 4.2 innings. Payton McBride took over in relief and finished the game off throwing a scoreless inning and two thirds.

A&M will return to action tomorrow for the second game of the weekend series. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. and the game can be seen on the SEC Network +.