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After a lackluster performance at the plate on Sunday, the Crimson Tide have an extra game to play with Florida State Monday evening. The loser of this game is eliminated while the winner advances to the finals. Due to weather delays, the second game with the Seminoles was moved to today - a distinct advantage for FSU as they get a good night’s sleep.
The good news for Tide fans is that it has been a rare occasion this season that Bama has had two off-nights in a row.
MATCH UP
Alabama will undoubtedly start Montana Fouts (27-3, 1.43 ERA) in the circle. The ‘Noles will surely counter with Kathryn Sandercock (25-3, 1.11 ERA), though we could see Caylan Arnold at some point. Arnold was very effective against the Tide on Sunday and Sandercock has thrown a good deal of pitches that last few days, including 2.1 innings last night.
HISTORY
Alabama faced Sandercock in February of 2020 and knocked her out of the game after 3.0 innings upon compiling five runs on four hits, a walk, and a HBP. KB Sides got a single and walk off her. Alexis Mack and Kaylee Tow also singled, while Taylor Clark hit a 2 RBI home run - her first in a Bama uniform.
Unfortunately in that same game, Patrick Murphy took Fouts out of the game after six innings despite a 7-2 lead. Krystal Goodman gave up a run and left the bases loaded as Fouts re-entered the game. She proceeded to give up a Grand Slam to the first batter she faced, Dani Morgan, to knot the score at 7-7 (another Murph classic). Lexi Kilfoyl would allow the walk-off hit in the eighth inning for an 8-7 defeat.
MONDAY SCHEDULE
- Oklahoma 7, James Madison 1 - F
- FSU vs Alabama 6pm CT or 30 mins after conclusion of Okie-JMU - ESPN
* The final two teams play a best-of-three series on Tuesday, Wednesday, and if necessary Thursday.
OTHER NEWS
- To nobody’s surprise, legendary Arizona coach Mike Candrea is calling it a career at age 65. He won eight WCWS, a Gold Medal at the 2004 Olympic games, and has a career record of 1,674-433-2 (.794). He began his career at Arizona in 1986 - 11 years before Alabama even started a program! He is also a really nice guy, unlike some of these jerks in the game today. Arkansas coach and California native Courtney Deifel is thought to be a top candidate.
