Alabama softball required 14 innings on Saturday to defeat Tennessee 3-2 and force a third game on Sunday for a trip to the Women’s College World Series. The game lasted four and a half hours, making it the longest game in Super Regional history.
For the second consecutive game, Alabama took an early lead in the first inning over Tennessee. The early lead did not last long as Tennessee answered back with an RBI single to tie the game at one apiece.
In the top of the fourth, Tennessee broke the tie on a solo home run from Sophia Nugent. The Crimson Tide responded quickly with a solo home run from Bailey Dowling in the bottom half of the fourth to even the score at 2-2. The score would remain tied until the 14th inning.
Kayla Beaver, who suffered the loss Friday in the first game of the series came in relief for Jocelyn Briski in the fifth inning on Saturday and held the Tennessee bats scoreless for 10 innings, giving up just six hits and striking out four.
In the top of the 14th inning, Beaver escaped a bases-loaded jam, giving the Crimson Tide offense a chance for a walk-off victory. Lauren Johnson started off the inning with a pinch-hit single and advanced to third on a double by Riley Valentine. Tennessee intentionally walked Kali Heivilin to load the bases and set up a force-out at home with Kristen White coming to the plate. White chopped a high grounder to the shortstop, and the throw was too late to get Johnson at home.
Alabama and Tennessee will face off on Sunday at 3 p.m. CT on ESPN with a trip to the Women's College World Series at stake.
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