Alabama Softball Rallies Late to Beat Kentucky

Crimson Tide score 3 runs in 7th inning for walk-off victory

Apr. 18, 2026 at 10:48pm

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No. 2 Alabama softball overcame a late 3-run deficit to defeat Kentucky 5-4 in a dramatic comeback victory. The Crimson Tide scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th inning, capped by Audrey Vandagriff's game-winning single, to claim the series win over the Wildcats.

Why it matters

Alabama's comeback win showcases the team's resilience and ability to battle back in high-pressure situations. The victory keeps the Crimson Tide in contention for a top seed in the SEC tournament and NCAA postseason.

The details

Alabama trailed 4-2 entering the 7th inning, but a double, walk, and two singles tied the game before Vandagriff's infield single drove in the winning run. Freshman pitcher Vic Moten had a strong start for the Tide, but Kentucky rallied for 3 runs in the 6th to take the lead.

  • The game was played on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
  • Alabama scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th inning to win the game.

The players

Alabama Crimson Tide

The No. 2 ranked softball team in the country, competing in the SEC.

Kentucky Wildcats

The softball team from the University of Kentucky, playing in the SEC.

Patrick Murphy

The head coach of the Alabama softball team.

Vic Moten

The freshman pitcher for Alabama who started the game.

Audrey Vandagriff

The Alabama centerfielder who hit the game-winning single in the 7th inning.

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What they’re saying

“It was a helluva game between two good teams. It's the SEC softball on a Saturday. One team's trying to win a series, and one team's trying to fight for postseason, and everybody got their money's worth. Great, great entertainment and a really good game.”

— Patrick Murphy, Alabama Head Coach

“There was never a doubt in our mind that we weren't going to walk the game off, that we weren't going to win. But I knew at that moment, when Marlie hit that ball, whether she caught it or she didn't catch it, we had JY [Jena Young] up, who's the reigning SEC Player of the Week, and then we had me. I'd take JY over and over again. Whoever was up at that moment, I had full faith in.”

— Audrey Vandagriff, Alabama Centerfielder

What’s next

Alabama will look to complete the series sweep over Kentucky on Sunday at 1:30 pm CT.

The takeaway

Alabama's dramatic comeback win showcases the team's resilience and ability to battle back in high-pressure situations, keeping them in contention for a top seed in the SEC tournament and NCAA postseason.