TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama junior right-hander Lexi Kilfoyl threw the sixth perfect game in program history Monday night at Rhoads Stadium, securing the weekend series against Georgia for the Crimson Tide.
Alabama (31-5, 8-4 SEC) pushed across nine runs on eight hits to end the game in six innings while Georgia (31-6, 5-3 SEC) had no answer for Kilfoyl (7-2) in the circle, fanning a season-high 10 batters with her 18-up, 18-down performance. Ally Shipman went 2-for-3 with five RBIs, including a game-ending three run home run in the bottom of the sixth. Bailey Dowling also posted a two-hit performance batting right behind Shipman and Kat Grill also went 2-for-3 with two runs scored batting ninth.
After just one combined hit between the two teams through the first 3.5 innings, the Tide threatened in the bottom of the third with the bases loaded and two outs but a strikeout got the Bulldogs out of the jam to keep it scoreless. Still knotted up at 0-0 in the bottom of the sixth, a hit-by-pitch and bunt single put two on with one out for Alabama with the top of the order due up.
After a force out at third, a walk loaded the bases yet again with two outs and Shipman sent the first pitch of her at-bat back up the middle, driving in two to give Alabama the first lead of the game. Dowling followed with an RBI single to make it 3-0 and a fielding error extended the inning as Shipman scored from third to make it 4-0. Jenna Johnson tacked on two more with a bases-loaded single through the right side before a strikeout ended the big inning with the Tide ahead 6-0.
Grill started the bottom of the sixth with a single to right and stole second before Dallis Goodnight drew a walk behind her. Two batters later, Shipman called game with a three-run homer to left field, capping the run-rule victory and securing the perfect game for Kilfoyl.
