By: Brett Greenberg
TUSCALOOSA, AL. - No. 3 Alabama softball (43-7) advanced to the 2021 SEC Tournament championship game with a come-from-behind victory over No. 19 Tennessee (41-12) on Friday night.
Taylor Clark hit her first home run of the season, Montana Fouts did what she normally does and the history books were rewritten in the 6-5 win.
"We have been doing that with the Vols for 25 years," said coach Patrick Murphy. "That was an excellent game and I'm thrilled with the way our girls handled the pressure."
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Here is what we learned as the Crimson Tide is looking for its sixth SEC tournament championship:
History books rewritten
Bailey Hemphill's two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning gave the Crimson Tide the lead and gave Hemphill sole possession of the all-time lead in program history with 61.
She's hit three home runs in two games and brings her season total to 11.
"Kelly Kretschman texted me at about midnight last night and talked about how it could not have happened to a better girl (Hemphill)," said Murphy. "Bailey responded saying she wanted to stay tied forever, but it took her one game to do it."
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Fouts again, Kilfoyl appears
Fouts picked up her 16th appearance with 10-plus strikeouts and ninth against an SEC opponent even after leaving the game for four batters as Lexi Kilfoyl entered in her first pitching appearance since the Arkansas series.
She has struck out 28 batters in the last two starts. Kilfoyl did not record an out in her appearance in the fifth inning.
Up next
Alabama softball will face No. 4 Florida in the championship at 5 p.m. CT Saturday on ESPN2.
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