Alabama Crimson Tide Softball Walks Off Oklahoma Sooners for Series Win


Audrey Vandagriff dons her SuperWoman cape and saves the Tide.

GAME 1: OKLAHOMA 5, ALABAMA 1

In front of a raucous sell-out crowd, this Game 1 got off to a noisy start with Lauren Johnson doing Lauren Johnson things.

In the bottom of the 1st, the Crimson Tide missed out on a huge opportunity with the base loaded and one out when they could not push a run across the plate.

Alabama got the scoring going in the 3rd when who else but Audrey Vandagriff led off the inning with a double. Kali Heivilin popped out to shallow right field, but it was enough for Vandagriff to tag up and advance to third. A Brooke Ellestad sac fly would make it 1-0 Bama.

Starting Tide pitcher Catelyn Riley got in a little hot water in the 5th when the Sooners put runners at second and third base with one out, but she worked her way out of the jam. Even though she was pitching the game of her life, a 3-hit shutout, Patrick Murphy’s Gut® (or maybe his nerves) made the decision to hook her in favor of Jocelyn Briski. Briski got through the 6th okay, but there was an absolute meltdown in the 7th.

The first Oklahoma batter dropped a bunt that traveled about 2 inches. Catcher Marlie Giles pounced on the ball but threw low to first base and the runner was safe. The next batter struck out and Rhoads Stadium was going absolutely bonkers. But that changed in a heartbeat when a Sooner hit a laser shot over the right field wall.

And then …


A five pitch walk followed. Briski threw one pitch to the next batter – a ball – and was done for the day. The Gut® turned to Alea Johnson who always seems to come into games cold. An infield single was followed by a double to make it 3-1 Okie. Riley was re-inserted and she gave up a solid RBI single. A squeeze bunt rolled about six inches and looked like it might be heading foul. However, Giles picked it up and threw late to first. The runner at third scored, and as Amanda Scarborough smartly pointed out, Giles probably could have caught the runner coming home from third in a rundown rather than taking the low percentage play at first.

In the bottom of the 7th, Murphy’s Gut® just got plain goofy. First, he pinch-hit Kristen White for Riley. I suppose I see what he was doing just trying to get someone on base, but White hasn’t swung a bat against a non-cupcake in three weeks. She slap-grounded out. Alexis Pupillo hit for Giles and struck out. Seldom-used freshman Kennedy Marceaux pinch hit for Larissa Preuitt and whiffed to end the game.

NOTES:

  • Coming into the 7th inning, Oklahoma had four base runners with only one by way of a walk.
  • Sam Landry went the distance for Oklahoma.
  • Alabama finished with three hits: two Kali Heivilin singles and Vandagriff’s double.
  • It is unclear who coaches the catchers, but that person should be sued for malpractice.

GAME 2: ALABAMA 6, OKLAHOMA 1

What just happened? Jocelyn Briski pitched THE best game of her career. The sophomore threw a complete game two-hitter with only one mistake.

Patrick Murphy shook up the lineup in the Sunday game. Larissa Preuitt found a nice comfy spot on the bench while Kristen White got a start.

In the 2nd inning, Abby Duchscherer was hit by pitch. With Kinley Pate pinch-running, a single put runners on the corners. A Lauren Johnson fielder’s choice made it 1-0 Tide. After a Salen Hawkins single, White picked up an RBI with a single when Johnson streaked around from second base.

Kali Heivilin led off the 3rd inning with a solo shot.

Bama loaded the bases in the 4th, but had a force out at home plate. Fortunately, Audrey Vandagriff followed with a sac fly to score a fourth run.

In the 5th, Duchscherer joined the hit parade with a 2-run windshield-buster.

But this game was not perfection. Up 6-0 with two outs in the 7th, Briski gave up a solo shot to freshman Sydney Barker – her fifth of the season, but first against an SEC foe.

A fly-out ended the game.

NOTES:

  • The Tide was one batter away from being the first team since 2019 to shut out the Sooners. Who was that team? Alabama.
  • Only three Sooners reached base. Briski gave up a double, a homer and one walk.
  • Alabama had 7 hits, and no errors.
  • White stole a base.
  • Lauren Johnson scored two runs.

GAME 3: ALABAMA 2, OKLAHOMA 1 – 8 innings

Audrey Vandagriff led off the bottom of the 1st with a single, followed by a steal of second base. She would move to third on a wild pitch but her teammates could not cash in the opportunity.

Catelyn Riley picked up right where she left off on Saturday with some solid pitching, including striking out the side in the 3rd. In the bottom of that frame, Alabama opened the scoring when Vandagriff singled and Kali Heivilin doubled her in.

Oklahoma answered back in the 4th on a solo home run – the first hit allowed by Riley. Bama again stranded a runner at third in the bottom of that frame.

More goose eggs followed for both teams for several innings until the dreaded 7th inning. It was almost like deja vu all over again, but this time Murphy stuck with Riley in the circle and it paid off. The Sooners loaded the bases with one out by way of two singles and a hit-by-pitch. However, the next two batters both grounded into force outs at home.

Before Riley could get a drink of Gatorade, she was right back out there as the Tide went down in order on just 8 pitches. Okie got two more on base with singles but could not score in the 8th.

On the first pitch of the bottom of the 8th, Vandagriff hit an opposite field walk-off home run off the All-American Sam Landry.

NOTES:

  • Vandagriff was 3 for 4, scoring both runs and collected one RBI. The rest of the team had four hits (Kali, Duke, White, Valentine).
  • Riley threw a career high 136 pitches. She gave up six hits and two walks, and whiffed five.
  • Although she did not start, Murphy just could not resist inserting Larissa Preuitt into the finale. In the 5th inning, she took the place of DH Alexis Pupillo, and far-superior fielder Lauren Johnson was moved to DH. WTF is that about?? She would make the final out of the 6th with a runner on first base.
  • Okie did not steal a base with Riley Valentine behind the plate.
  • Salen Hawkins had an error.

SERIES NOTES

  • Alabama is now 12-9 all-time vs Oklahoma. It is amazing how much of a thorn in the side the Tide has been to the Sooners all these years.
  • Probably a key to Monday night’s win was Riley NOT batting for herself. It would be hard to believe she could have lasted 8 innings if she was also swinging a bat and running bases. Just sayin’…
  • The first two games were 4,400 sell outs. As of post, there is no official word on Game 3.
  • Larissa Preuitt went 0 for 3. Alexis Pupillo was 0 for 5 with 1 BB and 4 Ks.
  • Brooke Ellestad was 0 for 7 but did have a sac fly RBI.

MVPs

  • VANDAGRIFF – 4 for 10 (.400), 3 runs, 2 RBI, HR, 2B, SB
  • HEIVILIN – 4 for 9 (.444), 1 run, 2 RBI, HR, two 2B, no errors
  • RILEY & BRISKI – outside of one inning, they were dominant.

UPCOMING ALABAMA SCHEDULE

Again no midweek game for the Crimson Tide, obviously because Alabama starts their next series on the road on Thursday.

  • Thursday, Apr 17 at Florida 5pm/6pm Gainesville, FL SEC+
  • Friday, Apr 18 at Florida 5pm/6pm Gainesville, FL SECN
  • Saturday, Apr 19 at Florida 1pm/2pm Gainesville, FL ESPN2

* Of note, former Tide pitcher and assistant Stephanie VanBrakle Prothro is a Gators Assistant Coach. It will also be a reunion with Kenleigh Cahalan.

HOW TO WATCH

Ugh, 80s Top 40 DJ Beth Mowins will be on the call with mumblemouth Michele Smith on color commentary for the second two games. It is unclear who will call the first game on SEC+. If we are lucky, it is the Gators’ crew.

UPCOMING

  • at Top 10 Florida
  • vs NR Missouri
  • at Top 10 South Carolina
  • SEC Tournament (Athens, GA)

#RollTide #Team29

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