It only took two runs against Minnesota, but Alabama Softball locked up the Tuscaloosa Regional title Sunday with a 1-0 win over Minnesota. The Crimson Tide now advance to the Gainesville Super Regional to take on top-seeded Florida.
Minnesota did not make it easy. A few breaks going differently and Alabama softball might not have prevailed. Alabama did just enough to get the win that eliminated the Gophers. Alabama softball shutout the 54-5 Gophers in both games. Those shutouts are a tribute to the Tide’s wonderful pitching staff.
Alabama has now advanced to the Super Regionals thirteen times in its history. Alabama softball is the only team in the country to make the Super Regional every year since the Super Regional was introduced in 2005. The Tide has hosted a Regional every year since then and has advanced to the WCWS eight times.
Now the Tide must turn its attention to Florida at the Gainesville Super Regional. Knocking off the No. 1 seed Gators will not be easy.
Tall Order For Bama In The Supers
No matter the offensive struggles during the SEC season, you cannot deny this team is a scrappy bunch. Alabama has put themselves in a good position in every game this postseason. They deserved the Regional championship.
.@AlabamaSB is heading to its 13th-straight NCAA Super Regional round! #RollTide pic.twitter.com/lYevQzFWRG
— Alabama Athletics (@UA_Athletics) May 22, 2017
Now the Super Regional Championship and a Women’s College World Series berth is at stake. What’s worse is that it’s against the national top-seeded team.
Florida has been lights-out throughout the regular season. They have three great pitchers in their rotation and a fourth they use irregularly. Their batters are consistent and Alabama’s pitchers are going to need to pitch a great game. In the minds of some softball experts, Florida is simply unstoppable.
At least they were during the regular season. The Gators have fallen short in the postseason. They lost to eventual-SEC champion Ole Miss in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament. Earlier Sunday, they lost to Oklahoma State to force the ‘if-necessary” game 7 in their Regional. They did win eventually. The point is this: This team isn’t nearly as invincible as they were in the regular season. Still, it’s going to take a mighty effort from Bama if they want to go to Oklahoma City.
Though they won the extra game, the Gators are not nearly as invincible as they were in the regular season. Still, it’s going to take a mighty effort from Bama to get to Oklahoma City.
Alabama will play Florida in the Gainesville Super Regional next weekend. It will either start Thursday or Friday and will be a best-of-three series. Times and networks TBA.
Next: The 2017 Alabama Softball Pitchers vs. The Past Five Years
Alabama will play Florida in the Gainesville Super Regional next weekend. It will either start Thursday or Friday and will be a best-of-three series. Times and networks TBA.