Alabama softball’s season ended roughly 20 miles away from Oklahoma City. The Crimson Tide didn’t come anywhere near that close when it came to reaching a third straight Women’s College World Series.
Alabama suffered a 13-2 blowout loss to Oklahoma on Saturday, as the Sooners swept the Tide in this weekend’s Norman Super Regional. Oklahoma advanced to its ninth straight WCWS appearance with the win. Alabama (40-23) was the No. 15 national seed in this year’s tournament, while four-time defending national champion Oklahoma (50-7) earned the No. 2 national seed.
Alabama’s season unraveled during an ugly top of the third when Oklahoma rallied for eight runs on eight hits while teeing off on Tide pitchers Catelyn Riley and Jocelyn Briski. The Sooners rallied on a mix of long ball and small ball, as Gabbie Garcia started the onslaught with a two-run home run to right. From there, Oklahoma’s next seven batters reached base to blow open the game.
Catelyn Riley took the loss for Alabama, giving up five earned runs on six hits while walking three over 2⅓ innings. Jocelyn Briski wasn’t any better, giving up four runs on four hits in relief without retiring a batter.
Meanwhile, Alabama’s anemic lineup continued to struggle in crucial situations. After Oklahoma took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, the Tide wasted a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the inning. Salen Hawkins ripped a one-out double to right before Marlie Giles walked to put runners on first and second with one out for Alabama. However, Oklahoma starter Kierston Deal was able to strike out Abby Duchscherer and Larissa Preuitt to escape the jam.
Kali Heivilin and Marlie Giles hit solo home runs in the third and fourth innings, respectively. However, those served as consolations for Alabama, as the game was already well out of reach at that point.
Deal earned the win, giving up two runs on three hits while striking out four batters over four innings.
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