Alabama Softball Wins 8-2, Moves On To Winner’s Bracket

Alabama’s first game of the NCAA Tournament started a little rocky for starting pitcher Krystal Goodman as she allowed Alabama State to load the bases with three straight singles with one out in the first inning. However, she only allowed a single run in that inning. After that, Goodman settled down and let her teammates’ bats take over. The Crimson Tide plated three runs in their half of the first and two in the second.

In the fourth it was Kaylee Tow’s turn to shine again as she hit a three run bomb to left center to make it 8-1.

The defense was sharp as well.

Goodman (W, 11-0) threw 96 pitches over 5.2 innings with only one run allowed. Courtney Gettins took over in the sixth and was sailing along until giving up a run in the seventh inning with two outs.

The top of the order did the job of getting on base and creating havoc. The number one and two hitters, Elissa Brown and KB Sides, both had two hits, a walk and 3 runs scored each. Brown stole a pair of bases. Sides had a steal and 1 RBI. Tow was aggressive at the plate and it paid off with a pair of hits and three RBI. On the other end of the spectrum, the bottom of the order struggled mightily. Claire Jenkins left 3 runners on base while Skylar Wallace stranded 4.

NEXT

Up next is Arizona State who defeated Lipscomb 4-3. All but one of this game’s RBI came via home runs. AzSt hit three round-trippers while the Fightin’ Lips had two. The Sun Devils have five players with double-digit home runs and three with 50 or more RBI on the season. Number three hitter Kindra Hackbarth is hitting .413 with 16 dingers and 54 RBI. Leadoff hitter Morgan Howe is right with her at .400/11/58. On the other side of that fence, all three Sun Devil pitchers have ERAs over 4.10. Bama will likely start Montana Fouts. It’s unknown how Arizona State will counter since they don’t really have an ace.

Alabama State and Lipscomb will face off in the Loser’s Bracket with the loser going home.

TUSCALOOSA REGIONAL

(All times CT)

FRIDAY:
Game 1: Arizona St. 4, Lipscomb 3 - F
Game 2: No. 8 seed Alabama 8, Alabama St. 2 - F

SATURDAY:
Game 3: Arizona St. vs. Alabama | 1pm
Game 4: Alabama St. vs. Lipscomb | 3:30pm - loser eliminated.
Game 5: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 winner | 6pm

SUNDAY:
Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 5 winner | 1pm
Game 7 (if necessary): Game 6 winner vs. Game 6 loser | 3:30pm

AUSTIN REGIONAL

The overall 9 seed Longhorns and at-large TAMU both fell on Friday and head to the loser’s bracket. The winner of this Regional will play the winner of the Tuscaloosa Regional next weekend.

Game 1: Houston 3, Texas A&M 1 - F
Game 2: Sam Houston St. 2, Texas 1 - F
Sat. Game 3: Sam Houston St. vs. Houston | 1pm CT
Sat. Game 4: Texas vs. Texas A&M | 3:30pm - loser eliminated.

SEC

USF 3, SC 2
Tenn 8, Longwood 0
Fla 3, Boston U 0
UK 7, Toledo 2
LSU 2, Monmouth 0
BYU 6, Ark 3 – Ark eliminated
UGA 6, Drake 4 - walk-off in the 8th
OM 12, Chatta 0
MSU 5, Seattle 3
Mizz 7, Fullerton 4
Aub 10, ColoSt 5