Alabama Softball: "FINISH IT! Part II"

Winning pitcher - Littlejohn; HR - Danae Hays (3rd inning), McCleney (4th)

The Alabama softball team is working to get back to Women's College World Series (WCWS) in Oklahoma City, May 28-June 3. The Crimson Tide won a memorable championship over Oklahoma back in 2012 (remember the "Finish It!" slogan?  The Rain Dance?). Last season, Bama lost to the Florida Gators in the championship. It may be time to bring back the slogan.

The Tide is led by a trio of hurlers in SEC Freshman of the Year Alexis Osario (1.72 ERA), Sydney Littlejohn (1.52 ERA), and senior Leslie Jury. Joining them are All-American Haylie McCleney (.462 BA, 29 SB) and sophomore big bopper Marisa Runyon (17 HR, 70 RBI).

11 SEC teams will participate in the NCAA tournament. Four of the top six and six of the top 10 are from the SEC. Alabama was named the No. 6 seed.

1. Florida
   
2. Oregon
   
3. Michigan
   
4. Auburn
   
5. LSU
   
6. ALABAMA
   
7. UCLA
   
8. Tennessee
   
9. FSU
   
10. Mizzou
    
11. Oklahoma
    
12. Arizona
    
13. UL-Lafayette
    
14. Georgia
    
15. James Madison
    
16. Notre Dame

Each of the above teams hosts a four-team double-elimination regional. The Tuscaloosa Regional consists of Bama, 20th-ranked Washington (40-15; 11-11), USC-Upstate (43-8), and Fairfield (25-22, MAAC Tourney Champs).

Winners of each regional move on to a two-team double-elimination Super-Regional. The eight victors move on to OKC.

Despite a 4-seed, Auburn drew a very dangerous team to their region in South Alabama (38-11). Win that and they likely face another darkhorse in the Supers in ULL (39-9).

If Bama can win their bracket, they may get a rematch of the 2012 WCWS with Oklahoma.

Unseeded Kentucky travels to South Bend - a very winnable bracket for the 'Cats.

Perhaps it is intentional but if all seeded teams win, no SEC team would meet in the Supers.

Get the complete schedule and game day info here.

FINAL
Washington 4 USC-Upstate 1
ALABAMA 8 Fairfield 0 (6 innings)

SATURDAY
ALABAMA vs. Washington, 11 a.m. CT

#ROLLTIDE