Alabama run-rules SELA, advances to super regional
Alabama softball's offense erupted and Rhoads Stadium was rocking as the Crimson Tide clobbered Southeastern Louisiana 12-2 on Sunday to win the Tuscaloosa Regional.
The Crimson Tide scored nine runs in the first inning for a season-high before getting its seventh run-rule victory of the season. It marks the secondstraight regional championship the Crimson Tide have won as it advances to the NCAA super regional for the 18th time in program history. It's also the second most amount of runs Alabama has scored in a game this season.
Here are takeaways and observations from Alabama softball's (36-17) game vs. Southeastern Louisiana (47-17) on Sunday:
Alabama softball's big first inning vs. Southeastern Louisiana
For Alabama, it put up a season-high nine runs in the first inning behind 10 hits. The Crimson Tide batted through the lineup in the first inning, not getting its first out until its No. 9 batter, Emma Broadfoot, popped up to the pitcher.
Leadoff batter Kristen White got things started for the Crimson Tide, laying down a first-pitch bunt to reach base. Larissa Preuitt and Kenleigh Cahalan each singled, with Cahalan's bringing home White to tie the game. A Jenna Johnson single brought home Preuitt and gave Alabama its first lead of the game.
But the Crimson Tide was just getting
The field is set, and Alabama softball is traveling to Knoxville to take on No. 3 Tennessee in the NCAA super regional round from May 23-26 at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
The Crimson Tide won the Tuscaloosa Regional, where it swept the winners bracket. Alabama opened the regional with a 1-0 win over USC Upstate before defeating Southeastern Louisiana 6-3 in nine innings on Saturday. In the championship game, it run-ruled Southeastern Louisiana 12-2 in five innings, collecting its most hits this season (14).
The Lady Vols swept the winners bracket in the Knoxville regional, defeating Dayton 3-0 on Friday then Virginia 12-0 on Saturday. On Sunday in the championship, Tennessee defeated Virginia again, this time 6-0, to win the regional.
It will not be the first time Alabama and Tennessee have seen each other this season, with Alabama hosting Tennessee at Rhoads Stadium for a conference series in April. The Lady Vols won the series 2-1, taking Game 1, 5-0, and Game 2, 2-0. Alabama won the series finale, 1-0, to avoid being swept.
The super regional round is played in a three-game series. The winner of the Knoxville Super Regional earns a spot in the Women's College World Series. Alabama has made 14 appearances in the Women's College World Series, most recently last year.
Alabama softball NCAA super regional schedule
All times are central
Friday, May 23
Game 1: Alabama vs. Tennessee, 3 p.m. CT, ESPN2
Saturday, May 24
Game 2: Alabama vs. Tennessee, 2 p.m. CT, TV/streaming TBD
Sunday, May 26
Game 3: Alabama vs. Tennessee (if necessary), TBD
started.
Bailey Dowling went onto hit a two RBI double followed by back-to-back RBI singles from Kali Heivilin and Riley Valentine to make the score 6-1. Cahalan was walked with the bases loaded to collect her second RBI and Johnson hit another single through center field to score two more as Alabama jumped out to an early 9-1 lead. It makes for the most runs Alabama has put up in an inning this season.
Alabama added three more runs in the third inning behind a Cahalan triple and a Marlie Giles single. Cahalan finished the game leading the Alabama offense with four RBIs, while Johnson finished with three. Eight out of the nine batters in Alabama's starting lineup recorded a hit.
Alabama finished the game with 14 hits for a season-high, beating its previous high of 13. It is the most amount of hits in a game for Alabama since its May 3 game vs. Auburn, where it got 10 hits.
Jocelyn Briski, Jaala Torrence from the circle
It was a shaky start for Jocelyn Briski in the circle, walking leadoff batter Ka'Lyn Watson before throwing a wild pitch to advance her to second. Watson was brought home by a Maria Detillier RBI single, but the one run was all the Lions were able to score in the inning as Briski struck out the final batter swinging.
Briski allowed one more run of five hits in four innings pitched. She struck out three batters and walked two. It was her second start in the Tuscaloosa Regional, starting in the Crimson Tide's game vs. USC Upstate on Friday, giving up just one hit in the 1-0 victory.
Jaala Torrence made her first appearance in the regional, entering the game in relief for Briski in the fifth inning. Torrence struck out one and forced a flyout and a groundout for the final two outs.
What's next?
Alabama now advances to its 18th super regional, where it will face the winner of the Knoxville Regional.