#8-seed Alabama 1, #1-seed Oklahoma 0 - 8 innings

The first two games of the Sunday’s WCWS were a clinic in pitching. After UCLA and Washington went scoreless for ten innings, Alabama and Oklahoma went toe-to-toe for eight innings with the Crimson Tide relenting in the end.

Montana Fouts was back in the circle after pitching last night’s midnight run against Arizona, and threw another outstanding game. She had 5 strikeouts, 4 walks and gave up 4 measly hits (one which should’ve been ruled an error) against the best offense in the nation.

I call her a fab freshman but Fouts is no longer a freshman. She is performing like a veteran and has a gladiator heart.

All-American Giselle Juarez had her way with the Tide’s lefty-heavy lineup until she faced a couple of Alabama right-handers. Senior Reagan Dykes had a solid single that almost got snared by the Okie second baseman. Skylar Wallace laid down a perfect bunt to sacrifice pinch-runner Kloyee Anderson over to second. Southpaw Alissa Brown was lifted in favor of senior Caroline Hardy who connected the game winning single.

OVERVIEW

That was some fantastic managing by Patrick Murphy in the eighth and good fundamentals by his team.

After struggling against Juarez, Kaylee Tow almost hit one out of the park for the win in the seventh. Perhaps she can carry that over to the nightcap.

RUBBER GAME

It’s Game 3 for Alabama and the Sooners. If Washington had managed to beat UCLA, those two would have had to play another game, giving Alabama and Oklahoma some rest. With the Huskies eliminated, however, the UA-Okie game will start in a few short minutes.

The ESPN announcing crew believe Fouts and Juarez will go at it again.

UPDATE: Juarez vs Krystal Goodman.

Alabama vs Oklahoma, Sun, May 2, ESPN2

ROLL TIDE