The University of Alabama softball team took the 1-0 lead in the Super Regional Series with the 6-5 win against Nebraska in 12 innings. Marisa Runyon would tie the game at 5 in the bottom of the 7th and the game winner would come from the bat of Peyton Grantham in the bottom of the 12th. Sydney Littlejohn went 8 innings and had an impressive outing after she entered in relief, holding the Huskers scoreless only allowing 3 hits on 21 batters faced. Alabama only needs to win one game tomorrow to advance to the Women’s College World Series.
The Cornhuskers struck first in the their half of the first. Hailey Decker reached on a one out single up the middle before scoring on the next at bat to give Nebraska the 1-0 lead off of the RBI double from Tatum Edwards. Nebraska added one more to give them the 2 run lead with an RBI single from MJ Knighten that would allow Edwards to score. Alabama had one runner reach from a Kallie Case one out walk but left her stranded after a Kaila Hunt fly out to left field and a Jadyn Spencer strike out. Austen Urness added 2 more with a 2 run homer in the top of the second that also scored Kiki Stokes after her one out triple. The Tide cut the lead in half in the bottom of the frame. The first two batters would reach base on a Molly Fichtner walk and Leona Lafaele being hit by a pitch. A passed ball allowed Fichtner to advance to 3rd and then score on the throwing error charged to Taylor Edwards. Runyon gave the Tide their 2 spot on the scoreboard with an RBI single through the right side.
Two ground outs and a line out sat the Nebraska order down in order in the visitor’s half of the 3rd. For the Tide’s half, the first two up at the plate reached after a single from Case and Hunt drawing a full count walk. Fichtner also singled during the frame but a fielder’s choice ended the threat, stranding 2 on base. Kylee Muir led off the 4th with a double to left field. Urness sent a one out RBI single up the middle to plate the run, giving the Cornhuskers the 5-2 lead. Alabama would pull to within 1 in their frame in the 4th. The Tide loaded the bases with 1 out. Runyon started the 2 run rally reaching on an error. Hays followed with a single to right field. Ryan Iamurri came in to the game to pinch hit and laid down a great sacrifice bunt, advancing both runners in to scoring position. Haylie McCleney filled up the bases after she was intentionally walked. RBIs from the bats of Spencer and Hunt made the score 5-4.
Sydney Littlejohn entered the game for Jaclyn Traina (4.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 K) in the top of the 5th with a runner on second after a lead off double from Decker. Two walks in the same inning would load the bases for Nebraska but the Tide would get out of the bases loaded jam with an inning ending fly out to center field from Stokes. Alabama also loaded the bases in bottom half but couldn’t capitalize. Runyon singled with 2 outs followed by Danae Hays getting hit by a pitch and Grantham reaching on a fielding error charged to Alicia Armstrong. McCleney ended the 5th with a ground out. Littlejohn sat the Nebraska 6th down in order, recording a strikeout to bring the Tide up to bat. The Tide once again couldn’t do anything with runners on the corners with 2 outs. Nebraska went quickly in the top of the 7th and the Tide would have 3 outs to try to tie it or win it.
Runyon tied the game at 5 with a lead off home run on a full count pitch sending the game to extra innings. After the teams battled back and forth until the 12th, the Tide would win it in dramatic fashion. Grantham stepped to the plate to lead off and sent a 2-2 pitch over the left field wall to walk it off and give Bama the 6-5 win.
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