The first pitch for Game 2 of Alabama's Super Regional matchup against LSU was at 2 pm CT. The final out was recorded at 8:28 pm.
Two separate two-hour lightning delays caused the game to run over six hours. In the end, however, Alabama's momentum couldn't be stopped by LSU or by Mother Nature.
Freshman Vic Moten got the start for Alabama, and she threw four strong innings before the second lightning delay halted play just seven minutes after the game resumed. Moten allowed five hits, one run, one walk, and struck out seven. Moten got in trouble in the 2nd inning with LSU loading the bases, but the Tigers just missed a grand slam that Kristen White was able to corral near the wall.
Following the delay, Patrick Murphy handed the ball to his ace Jocelyn Briski with Alabama leading 4-1 and needing just nine outs to advance to the Women's College World Series.
Briski picked up right where she left off on Friday night. Following a dominant performance where he she shutout LSU and retired 21 consecutive batters following a leadoff double (11 via strikeout), Briski collected the final nine outs to punch Alabama's ticket to Oklahoma City, surrendering two hits and a walk while striking out five.
Clutch 2-out hitting by Alabama catapulted the Crimson Tide's offense in win over LSU
Alabama scored its first run before it got its first hit of the game. In the 3rd inning, White drew a walk and then advanced all the way home thanks to three straight wild pitches by LSU's Jayden Heavener.
In the 4th inning, Alabama's offense finally broke through. First, a solo homer by Alexis Pupillo, her 2nd of the Supers, put Alabama up 2-1 after Moten allowed the Crimson Tide's first run of the NCAA Tournament.
Then, three consecutive two-out hits allowed Alabama to tack on two more runs.
First, Audrey Vandagriff ripped a single to get things going. Ambrey Taylor followed by ripping a double that advanced Vandagriff to third. Salen Hawkins then smacked a single into left field that scored both runners to put Alabama up 4-1.
Alabama's offense couldn't muster much after the delay, but with Briski in the circle, it didn't need much. Briski held it down, and the Crimson Tide swept LSU with a 4-1 win that punched Alabama's ticket to the Women's College World Series for the 16th time under Murphy.
It's been a dominant NCAA Tournament for the Crimson Tide. Alabama has outscored its opponents 31-1 across five games. Now, they'll look to carry over that momentum and push for the program's second national title.
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