Alabama opened play at the Women’s College World Series against UCLA on Thursday, winning 6-3 to advance to the second round where the Crimson Tide downed Nebraska 5-1. Now, for the eighth time in program history, Alabama will play in the national semi-finals.
Game 1: Alabama 6, UCLA 3
The Crimson Tide jumped on the board quickly in the first inning with an RBI single from catcher Marlie Giles.
UCLA put an end to Alabama’s lead in the third inning with two back-to-back homers, putting the Bruins ahead 3-1.
Both teams went scoreless in the fourth, allowing UCLA to keep its lead until utility player Alexis Pupillo knocked a two run home run to right to tie the game 3-3. This is Pupillo’s 20th home run of the season, ranking 5th in program history.
UCLA was unable to answer back with any runs of its own in the fifth, allowing Alabama to take the game after a three run home run to center in the 6th by Brooke Wells.
This is Wells’ 24th home run of the season. She is now only two shy of the team’s record for most home runs in a single season, which is currently held by Bailey Hemphill.
This is the first time in program history that a team has had two players with 20 or more home runs in the same season.
“I thought it was a really well-played game. Gritty by our offense,” head coach Patrick Murphy said. “I felt like we were just missing a couple early in the game, then Brooke [Wells] connected and so did [Alexis] Pupillo.”
Game 2: Alabama 5, Nebraska 1
Alabama downed Nebraska 5-1 on Saturday to snap Nebraska’s 27 game long win streak which was the longest active win streak in college softball.
Alabama got on the board with haste in the first inning after catcher Marlie Giles slammed a three run homer to center field. This is Alabama’s 100th home run of the season as a team and only the second time the program has reached this feat.
“God has blessed me beyond anything I can even imagine. I haven’t hit as many home runs as Lex and Brooke have, but for me to hit it here…I don’t have an answer for you except it’s His will, His plan,” Giles said.
Rattled, Nebraska was unable to make it onto the board until the 4th off of a home run. Nebraska isn’t unfamiliar with late-game comebacks, though, pulling off a 5-3 win in a thrilling 10 innings against Arkansas earlier this week.
Nebraska was unable to find this luck against the Crimson Tide as Alabama’s ace, Jocelyn Briski, allowed no more hits in the final innings, coming off the mound with just one hit allowed.
“[Jocelyn] Briski was incredible. A one-hitter with six Ks and no walks. We didn’t give them any momentum. They had a solo home run but we came back and scored,” Murphy said. “Marlie [Giles] had a huge hit. If you’re familiar with Alabama, our slogan is ‘Where Legends Are Made’ and she solidified that tonight – both of them.”
Alabama will play again on Monday at 6 p.m. CT against Texas Tech. Whoever plays Alabama will have to defeat the Crimson Tide twice to advance.
Hence then, the article about alabama softball to advance to women s college world series semi finals was published today ( ) and is available on The Crimson White ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Alabama softball to advance to Women’s College World Series semi-finals )
Also on site :