Alabama softball is on the brink of getting back to the Women's College World Series after a one year absence.
Led by a stupendous effort in the circle by SEC Pitcher of the Year Jocelyn Briski, Alabama rolled past LSU 7-0 in the opening game of the Tuscaloosa Super Regional. The win puts the Crimson Tide one win away from clinching the series and advancing to Oklahoma City.
Briski allowed a leadoff double to LSU's Jaila Lassiter. That would be the only damage the Tigers could do against Alabama's ace.
Briski retired the next 21 batters, striking out 11 as the Crimson Tide worked to a run-rule win over LSU. Her final line:
7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 11 SO
Jocelyn Briski gets the type of offensive support that could lead Alabama all the way
The Rhoads House was rocking from the opening pitch, and Alabama wasted little time getting out in front of LSU. When you spot Briski an early lead, there's just not much an opponent is going to be able to do. She's just that dominant.
Alabama put two runs on the board in the first inning. The Crimson Tide netted four hits, with Jena Young scoring the first run on a passed ball, and then Audrey Vandagriff continued her postseason hot streak with an RBI single that plated Ana Roman.
Alexis Pupillo put Alabama up 3-0 with a solo homer in the 3rd inning. Young broke it open in the 4th.
With the bases loaded, Young ripped a ball into the left-center gap that cleared the bases and pushed Alabama's lead to 6-0.
Kinley Pate scored Alabama's 7th run in the 5th thanks to some heady base running and a wild pitch and error by LSU.
After a dominant effort in the Regional round, Alabama picked up right where it left off in the Supers. In wins over Southeastern Louisiana twice and Belmont once, Alabama outscored its Regional opponents 20-0. Add in the 7-0 win over LSU on Friday, and the Crimson Tide has outscored its opponents 27-0 in the NCAA Tournament thus far. Not too shabby.
Game two of the Tuscaloosa Super Regional will be on Saturday at 2 pm CT. Freshman Vic Moten is the likely starting pitcher for the Crimson Tide. A win would punch Alabama's ticket to the Women's College World Series for the 16th time under Patrick Murphy.
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