Alabama erupted for five runs in the ninth inning to beat Southeastern Louisiana and advance to Sunday's regional final.
Cody Goodwin
The Alabama softball team's small-ball, defense-first approach leaves little margin for error, but two games into this NCAA tournament, the Crimson Tide are executing just well enough to stay alive.
On Saturday, Alabama scored five runs in the ninth inning to beat Southeastern Louisiana, 6-3. It is the Tide's second win in as many days here at Rhoads Stadium. They advance to Sunday's regional final, just one win away from the Super Regionals.
The Tide, now 35-17 overall, adopted a survive-and-advance mantra this postseason, and so far, the formula includes stellar pitching and just enough offense. It worked in a 1-0 win over USC Upstate on Friday, then again against Southeastern on Saturday.
Alabama scratched a run across in the fourth inning, when Marlie Giles scored on a fielding error. The Lions leveled game in the sixth, when a double steal flummoxed the Tide's defense, resulting in Audrey Greely scoring from third to tie the game at 1-1.
The Tide didn't respond until the ninth inning — but when they did, the flood gates opened.
After Giles popped out to second, Jenna Johnson reached on a walk. Up came Riley Valentine, pinch-hitting for Abby Duchscherer. After falling behind in the county, Valentine blasted a 1-2 pitch into the scoreboard in left-centerfield. It was Alabama's first home run since Kali Heivilin's two-run shot against Auburn 16 days ago.
That gave Alabama a 3-1 lead, but the offensive outburst continued: Bailey Dowling singled an 0-2 pitch into left. Larissa Preuitt singled to right, putting Dowling on second. Kristen White singled to center to score Dowling, then Kenleigh Cahalan singled to second to score both Preuitt and White.
Alabama's six total runs are the most since they scored six in a 17-6 loss to Texas A&M back on April 14, more than a month ago. It was also the 33rd time in 52 games this season that Alabama scored three or more runs. They are now 26-7 in such games (and just 9-10 when they score two runs or fewer).
And all six runs were needed, given who Alabama faced on Saturday.
The Lions are making their first-ever appearance at the NCAA Softball Tournament this week after winning the Southland Conference Tournament. Entering Saturday's game, they've posted an impressive 133-43 overall record over the last three seasons.
This season, Southeastern boasts one of the country's top offenses. Their team batting average, .343, ranks No. 5 nationally. Their 6.07 run per game ranks 20th. They scored three runs in both the third and fifth innings on Friday in a 6-2 win over Clemson.
But Kayla Beaver, Alabama's ace who transferred in after four years at Central Arkansas, largely dominated: five hits andthree runs allowed while striking out 10 over nine complete innings. She retired 14 of the first 15 batters she faced, including 10 in a row.
Trouble struck in the sixth. Audrey Greely sent a leadoff single up the middle. Then, with two outs, Ka'Lyn Watson, the Lions' leadoff hitter with a .402 batting average this season, singled to left to send Greely to third. A double steal flummoxed the Alabama defense, resulting in Watson taking second and Greely scoring the tying run.
The air and energy left Rhoads Stadium in that moment, but returned in the top of the ninth, when Alabama's offense erupted. After that hiccup in the sixth, Beaver retired 10 of the final 13batters she faced. The Lions scratched two more across in the bottom of the ninth, but by then, the mountain was too tall to climb.
Stellar pitching and just enough offense. That's Alabama's formula. On Saturday, they got some great pitching and more than enough offense — and as a result, the Tide are one win away from advancing to college softball's version of the Sweet 16.
2024 NCAA Softball Tournament –Tuscaloosa Regional
Friday, May 17
- Game 1: Southeastern Louisiana over Clemson, 6-2
- Game 2: No. 14 Alabama over USC Upstate, 1-0
Saturday, May 18
- Game 3: No. 14 Alabama over Southeastern Louisiana, 6-3 (9 inn.)
- Game 4: Clemson over USC Upstate, 8-0
- Game 5:Southeastern Louisiana over Clemson, 6-2
Sunday, May 19
- Game 6:No. 14 Alabama vs. Southeastern Louisiana, 1 p.m. CT
- Game 7: If Necessary, 3:30 p.m. CT
Cody Goodwin covers the Alabama Crimson Tide for 247Sports. Follow him on Twitter at @codygoodwin.
