Alabama Softball Runs Roughshod Through the Regional

Alabama pounded out 34 hits and 29 runs over the three games while only giving up 4 runs.

GAME 1 - BAMA 13 SIU-Edwardsville 3 (five innings)

I know what you are thinking: who the heck is SIU-Edwardsville? They are the Cougars of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. After years as a Division II softball superpower, the 2007 World Series champions moved up to I-A in 2009 and promptly went 40-10. This season they won the Ohio Valley Conference. But this ain't the OVC.

Jadyn Spencer went 4 for 4 with a four-bagger and 4 RBIs as the bats exploded for an easy five innings "mercy" win. Leona Lafaele also collected a homer and 4 RBIs on 2 for 4 hitting. Leslie Jury got the win.

GAME 2 - BAMA 7 South Carolina-Upstate 1

This one was over early as the Tide put up four in the first inning on a 3-run bomb by Jaclyn Traina and a RBI single by Kaila Hunt. As good as Traina was at the plate, she was even better in the circle. After giving up a solo home run and a single to the first two batters, "A-Train" settled down to shut down the Spartans with 6 Ks and no walks.

Spencer had four more hits in four at bats. Haylie McCleney went 3 for 4 with a walk, 2 runs scored and 2 stolen bases.

SC-U finished the season at 46-9 including wins over Virginia, Va Tech, and UNC. SC-Upstate is a public university located in Spartanburg, part of the University of South Carolina System.

GAME 3 - BAMA 3 South Alabama 0

USA came to play but ran into the buzzsaw that is Jaclyn Traina. The Bama All-American pitcher was again dominant striking out 11 Jaguars in a complete game 2-hit shutout. McCleney had a two run triple. Hunt had a two out single to score Danielle Richard in the fifth inning.

The 21st ranked Jags finish the season at 42-14.

UP NEXT: Super Regional - BAMA vs. Nebraska

The Crimson Tide will next host the Cornhuskers who upset #15 Missouri in their Regional by beating them twice on Sunday. 19th-ranked Nebraska had seven homers over the two games to upset the home team Tigers.

This will be a best of three series taking place in Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa. The crowds for the Regional were loud and crazy. Come on out and support the Tide as they make another run to Oklahoma City.

Thursday, May 22, 2014 vs. Nebraska, Tuscaloosa, Ala. 8:00 p.m. CT - ESPN
Friday, May 23, 2014 vs. Nebraska, Tuscaloosa, Ala. 5:00 p.m. CT - ESPNU
Friday, May 23, 2014 vs. Nebraska (if necessary), Tuscaloosa, Ala. 8:00 p.m. CT - TBA