A Middle Tennessee State victory in the first game Sunday forced a one-game scenario to determine who would advance to the NCAA Super Regionals, but Alabama was able to squeak past the Blue Raiders 1-0 to advance to the Super Regionals for the 17th time in 18 seasons.
With Alabama going into the day with zero losses, the Crimson Tide would only need to win one game against Middle Tennessee State to advance to the Super Regionals. The Blue Raiders were able to take care of Alabama in the first game 4-1, roughing up Lauren Esman for four runs and nine hits over five and two-thirds innings pitched. Alex Salter came in to relieve Esman and held the Blue Raiders hitless the rest of the game, but the damage had already been done. Middle Tennessee State’s Gretchen Mead was able to shut down the Crimson Tide offense, allowing just one run and five hits over seven innings of work to force the winner-take-all-game.
With the season on the line, Alabama turned to their MVP of the weekend, Jaala Torrence, who has been doing her best to fill the shoes of Alabama’s Montana Fouts during her battle with an injured left leg. Both Torrence and Middle Tennessee State’s Kamryn Carcich held both offenses in check until the seventh inning. With the game tied 0-0 in the top of the seventh, Ally Shipman finally broke the scoreless tie with a line drive homer to left field giving the Tide the 1-0 lead. Torrence would trot back out to the circle and get the final three outs to send Alabama to the NCAA Super Regionals.
Torrence limited the Blue Raiders to just five hits and held them scoreless over seven innings to grab the victory for the Crimson Tide. Torrence, who has been thrown into the fire with Fouts nursing a hyperextended leg, was credited with all three wins for Alabama in the regionals this weekend, pitching 18 innings of scoreless ball over 18 and two-thirds innings. Fouts was seen warming up during both games Sunday, and coach Patrick Murphy that she was indeed available, but with the elite pitching from Torrence, Fouts was not needed.
"I've been feeling good this whole weekend," Torrence said. "I really wanted the ball, I wanted to get it done for this team and the seniors. To be able to do that was a blessing."
Next up, No. 5 Alabama will face No. 12 Northwestern next weekend in a best-of-three series with a ticket to the Women’s College World Series on the line.
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