Alabama Crimson Tide Softball Sweeps Missouri Tigers in SEC Showdown

To improve their profile for the post-season, the Crimson Tide (35-18, 11-10) needed a big showing this weekend. That is what they got as they took all three games of the series with the hurting Missouri Tigers (23-29).

GAME 1: ALABAMA 4, MISSOURI 2

Alabama took the first part of our advice on how to beat Mizzou, but not the second part. The first part was jump on these pitchers early, and that is what the Tide did. In the 1st inning, who else but Audrey Vandagriff got things going with an infield single and a steal of second base. A walk and a HBP loaded the bases for Brooke Ellestad who stroked a double down the first base line, clearing the bases.

Unfortunately, Bama did not take the second part of our advice which was to keep the foot on the gas petal. The Crimson Tide would get only two more hits – for a total of four – for the rest of the game. However, one of those hits was Vandagriff’s fifth home run of the season in the 5th inning.

Jocelyn Briski took to the circle and had another strong outing. However, it almost all went to s**t because of Patrick Murphy’s lack of faith. A Tiger led off the 2nd inning with a solo home run and then Briski walked the bases full. However, she was able to get out of the jam with no further damage. Other than that one shaky inning, Mizzou could not get much going offensively against the sophomore, with no other runner reaching third base.

In the final frame up 4-1, Briski struck out the first batter. The second doubled after an eight pitch at bat. Instead of sticking with Briski up by three runs, The Gut® figured that Catelyn Riley would be a better choice in the circle. Riley, who has been mighty inconsistent, induced a ground out, but the runner advanced to third. A wild pitch would make it 4-2. A single and a walk brought the go-ahead run to the plate, but she popped up to end the game.

NOTES:

• Briski has been improving lately, and at times is starting to look like an ace. But she is never going to become that kind of pitcher if her coach does not let her work through minor problems – especially with a multi-run lead and when she is pitching a really good game. Not to mention who might replace her late in games. This one was one swing away from being a disaster.
• This game was the “Power of Pink” game, which raises awareness and support for breast cancer. “POP” was founded by Hall of Fame gymnastics coach Sarah Patterson who threw out the first pitch. It had an extra special meaning for Briski whose mother had a bout with breast cancer earlier this decade, but appears to have it under control.
• Vandagriff had half of the Tide’s hits and scored half of their runs. She also swiped her 48th base of the season. I shudder to think where this team would be without her.
• Once again, Murphy pulled Lauren Johnson out of the game late for a defensive replacement – which continues to blow my mind. Kristen White came in to play center while Vandagriff moved to LoJo’s spot in left. Teacher’s pet, Larissa Preuitt remained in right.
• Bama turned their 27th double play of the year, setting a new single-season school record that topped the previous best of 26 set in 2003.

GAME 2: ALABAMA 7, MISSOURI 6

This game got off to a dubious start when Bama starting pitcher Catelyn Riley served up a solo home run to the first batter she faced. After getting the no-hitter and shutout out of the way, the senior settled in pretty nicely.

In the bottom of 1st, the Tide loaded the bases for Brooke Ellestad and it really was like deja vu when for the second straight game the Bama third baseman ripped a bases clearing double but this time, it went down the third base line.

More deja vu came in the second inning when the Tide turned their 28th double play of the season.

In the 3rd, a 2-run homer by Kali Heivilin made it 5-1 Tide and it looked like we may have a rout on our hands.

In the 4th, speed killed. Marlie Giles reached base on a fielding error to the pitcher that just as easily could have been ruled a hit. After two outs, Giles then stole second base. Lauren Johnson hit a slow roller to short and beat the throw to first for a hit. Meanwhile, Giles just kept on running, circling third and scoring the sixth Tide run of the game.

In the top of the 6th, The Tigers had a runner at second with two out. With Bama up 6-1 and four outs to get, just be smart with your pitch selection. Right?

That lollipop pitch should have been an indication that Riley was running out of gas. The next batter doubled and the day was over for the Tide starter. Alea Johnson, who has not pitched in a non-midweek game since April 12, came in to get the last out. But she did not fare so well in the 7th. She walked the first Tiger, but retired the next two batters. On an 0-2 pitch, a single to left field put two on base and things are getting sketchy. Just get the last out and we can go home. Right?

Nah.

The look on Kristen White’s face said it all.

As if things could not get nutty enough, Alabama came back in the bottom of the frame. For some dumb reason, the Mizzou coach brought in a reliever for Marissa McCann who had thrown 4 strong innings. Heivilin greeted the new pitcher by ripping a hard ball to centerfield, but the MU outfielder made an incredible diving catch for out number one. On the next pitch, Ellestad picked up her third hit of the day on a single up the middle – two hard hit balls on three pitches, you would think might send up some red flags.

Salen Hawkins also got good bat on the ball but it was caught by the left fielder. Abby Duchscherer hit a hard single through the left side of the infield that moved pinch-runner Kinley Pate to second base. That brought up Kendal Clark who has not had a hit against a Power team all season. Maybe a pinch-hitter, Murph? Clark hit a slow roller to the shortstop in what looked like a routine third out, but the throw to first was wide and Pate scored the winning walk-off run.

NOTES:

• Among the Bama alum in the house were former catcher Ally Shipman-Shrout (sorry guys, she got married) and last year’s ace Kayla Beaver.
• Heivilin was 2 for 4 but hit the ball hard on all four at bats.
• The top of the 7th could have been worse if not for a video challenge. With a Tiger on first base, the second batter hit a chopper down the third base line that Ellestad could not corral. The umpire called it a fair ball. MU would have had runners at second and third with no outs, but the call was overturned to a foul ball. That batter would end up striking out.
• Once again, Murphy yanked Lauren Johnson off the field in the 7th inning in favor of Larissa Preuitt. Does he have some kind of incentive clause for games that she plays in or something?
• Kendal Clark came to Alabama from an Iowa juco before last season. In 2024, she played in 43 games with 35 starts and hit a disappointing .247. She was voted as team captain for this year’s team, which I guess speaks to her personality and leadership skills. She was slowed by an injury early in the year and is hitting .258 with no homers and two doubles. Saturday night was her sixth start of the season and first against a Power team (if you don’t count Iowa as a Power team, I don’t) and left three runners on base. In eight at bats against Power teams this season through this game, she was hitless. I love her attitude, but it doesn’t make sense to be starting her this late in the season in crucial games.

GAME 3: MISSOURI 2, ALABAMA 0

The finale was a pitcher’s duel with Jocelyn Briski and Marissa McCann.

Both teams got off to a snail’s pace offensively. It was a few singles here and there until Abby Duchscherer tripled to lead off the 3rd inning and Patrick Murphy unnecessarily pinch-ran Kinley Pate for her. But it didn’t matter as she was left standing at that station.

Fast forwarding to the 5th inning, Audrey Vandagriff hit a two-out single. Lauren Johnson followed with a single that ticked off the glove of the diving shortstop and sent the ball into centerfield. Because of the deflection, the outfielder was out of position and the ball almost got by her. While she attempted to recover, Vandagriff streaked around the bases all the way home to take a 1-0 lead.

In the next inning, Brooke Ellestad scored the easy way with a lead off bomb over the right field fence.

It was a good thing Briski was on, because that was all the Tide could muster.

NOTES:

• Briski pitched a complete game shutout, scattering five singles and striking out five with no walks. She induced 13 ground outs and only two fly outs. When she is throwing like this, she is dangerous. Whatever they are feeding her, more please.
• Alabama had seven hits from seven different batters. Only Riley Valentine and Larissa Preuitt did not record a safety.
• Clark again started as DH. She was 1 for 3 with a strikeout.
• Once again, Kristen White relieved Lauren Johnson in the outfield for the final inning for some baffling reason.

SERIES NOTES

• Mizzou put up a good fight, but fell short in all three games. At 23-29, it seems highly unlikely that they end up qualifying for the post-season. Unless they win the SEC Tournament, this will be the first time that they have not made the NCAAT since 2006.
• As for the Tide, this much-needed sweep improves their resume. Already a top 16 team by two polls, they probably make it unanimous come Tuesday. Of course the polls are just opinions and have little bearing on the NCAA Selection Committee (wink, nod). Now, Alabama travels to Columbia, SC to take on the surprisingly good Gamecocks. It would probably lock them into post-season hosting duties if they win two, but one win might do it too. Getting swept would be really bad.
• After counting up the attendance following Game 2, the University announced that the softball program eclipsed 100,000 fans for the third straight season.
• Vandagriff stole her 48th base of the season, leaving her 12 behind Brittany Rogers’s single season school record of 60.
• The Crimson Tide had no errors for the entire series. Amazing how that translates to victories. Huh? That may be the first time all season for Bama for a three-game set.
• Ellestad has been on fire at the plate and in the field. Also, we should not overlook the improvement of Hawkins in both fields. She went 3 for 7 with a hit in each game.
• I am sorry to harp on he, but Preuitt went hitless in four at bats over two starts.

MVP

• ELLESTAD – 5 for 10, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 1 RUN, 7 RBI, flashed some great glovework at the hot corner.
• BRISKI – 13.1 IP, 10 hits, 2 runs allowed (1 Riley let score), 5 BB, 11 K, 2 WINS, shoulda been 2 complete games.

UPCOMING ALABAMA SCHEDULE

No more midweekers. Time to step up.

• Thursday, May 1 at South Carolina 5pm/6pm
• Friday, May 2 at South Carolina 5pm/6pm
• Saturday, May 3 at South Carolina 11am/noon SECN

HOW TO WATCH

Only the finale will be on regular TV. The broadcast crew will be Roy Philpott and Erin Miller. The other two are streaming on Aunt Judy’s flip-phone.

UPCOMING

South Carolina (36-13, 11-10) is still winning but they have cooled off a little. Bama will need to at the very least avoid a sweep. Following the regular season finale, Alabama will have opportunities to argue their case in the SEC Tournament

• Thu May 1 – Sat May 3: at #10/10/11/13 South Carolina
• Tue May 6 – Sat May 10: SEC Tournament (Athens, GA)
• Fri May 16 – Sun May 18: NCAA Regional
• Thu May 22 – Sun May 25: NCAA Super Regional
• Thu May 29 – Fri Jun 6: Women’s College World Series, Oklahoma City, OK

#RollTide #Team29