Bailey Dowling reveals Patrick Murphy's advice before game-winning 2-RBI double vs. Arkansas

Bailey Dowling has been one of the best hitters for Alabama this season. But she was not feeling herself Thursday night against fourth-seeded Arkansas in the quarterfinals of the 2023 SEC Tournament.

When she stepped up to the plate in the top of the ninth inning with runners on second and third with one out, the Crimson Tide cleanup hitter had struck out three times previously — including in both of her previous at-bats.

But Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy had a chat with Dowling before the at bat.

“I’ll never forget it. It was just all positive,” Dowling said after the game. “Smoke middle, that’s our saying and I was just thinking I wanted to get it done for my team. Everybody had my back and I wanted to have theirs.”

Dowling delivered for her team. She worked the count full before turning on a pitch and firing it down towards third base. It was too hot to handle for Razorbacks third baseman Hannah Gammill as the ball skirted into the outfield for a double as two runners scored on the play.

The Crimson Tide went on to win, 3-2.

Bailey Dowling’s double led to a gritty Alabama win

Bailey Dowling wasn’t the only one dealing with adversity during Thursday’s thrilling extra-inning battle. The Crimson Tide dealt with a lot of adversity during the game, which was headlined by star pitcher Montana Fouts leaving in the seventh inning with an injury.

Murphy had no update for the media on Fouts’ injury after the game but did praise his team’s ability to rebound after seeing their best player have to leave the game.

Alex Salter came in out of the bullpen and delivered 2.1 well-pitched innings, giving the Alabama offense time to find the game-winning runs.

The team will now go up against the winner of the No. 1 Tennessee and No. 8 Florida for a chance to compete int eh championship game and its second conference title in three seasons.

“I think sometimes you just try too hard,” Murphy said after the game. “This is a team that everybody that covers us for Alabama has seen it. They just really really want it and sometimes you try a little bit too hard. Instead of letting the game come to you, you try to force it. But, tonight, I saw some really, really good turnarounds and a lot of grit by our team.”