No. 14 Alabama softball upsets rivaling no. 3 Tennessee, advances to Women’s College World Series

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WAFF) – For the fifteenth time in program history, the Alabama softball team has punched their ticket to the Women’s College World Series, after defeating no. 3 Tennessee, 4-1, Sunday evening in the Knoxville Super Regional.

Riley Valentine owned every RBI for the Crimson Tide in the win. The Tide got the bases loaded in the top of the first, when Valentine launched a grand-slam to five the Tide a 4-0 lead, before the game was delayed nearly three hours for weather.

The rest of the ballgame was controlled in the circle, by freshman Jocelyn Briski. She tossed six shutout innings, giving up her first run in the seventh before being relieved by Kayla Beaver. Briski earned the win, giving up just one run on four hits with one walk and four strikeouts in 6.1 innings of work. Beaver picked up the save coming on in relief for the final two outs of the game.

With the win Patrick Murphy and Alabama breaks into the top four in all-time WCWS appearances. Coach Murphy earned his 28th victory in Super Regionals giving him the most wins in that stage of the NCAA tournament.

Next up, no. 14 Alabama will take on no. 6 UCLA in Game One of the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City on Thursday. First pitch is set for 11 am CT.

Click Here to Subscribe on YouTube: Watch the latest WAFF 48 news, sports & weather videos on our YouTube channel!

Copyright 2024 WAFF. All rights reserved.