TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama softball team dropped the opening game of its series against Florida, 4-1, Friday night in front of 3,240 fans at Rhoads Stadium. With the loss, Alabama falls to 45-6 overall and 21-5 in the Southeastern Conference, while Florida improves to 44-8 overall and 21-5 in the SEC. The loss deadlocks the two teams into a tie atop the SEC standings.

Florida scored an unearned run in the first and three in the seventh to take down Alabama in game one.

Florida pitcher Hannah Rogers improved to 26-4 on the season after holding Alabama hitless until the sixth inning, when Jennifer Fenton hit a one-out single through the left side. Rogers allowed one run on three hits and struck out seven.

Jackie Traina dropped to 29-2 for Alabama, giving up four runs – three earned on six hits in her seven innings of work while striking out nine batters.

After Florida scored a first inning unearned run, Alabama tried to battle back. The Tide loaded the bases with two outs, but was turned away by a Rogers strikeout.

Florida managed to score three runs in the top of the seventh, but Alabama tried to come back in the bottom of the frame. Traina led off the inning with an opposite field solo home run, her ninth of the year, but the Tide could not manage anymore offense.

The two teams will return to Rhoads Stadium for game two of the series. The game will air on ESPN2 with first pitch slated for 3 p.m.