Alabama came into Saturday night with their backs against the wall and needing a win to force a third game to decide who would punch their ticket to the Women’s College World Series, and the Crimson Tide came through with a 2-1 victory over Northwestern.
After struggling to put together any offense in the first game of the series against Northwestern, head coach Patrick Murphy decided to shake up the lineup and rearrange some pieces in hopes to give the Crimson Tide bats a little spark. The biggest change in the lineup was moving Alabama’s best hitter, Ashley Prange, into the leadoff spot. Murphy’s lineup change would pay off immediately, as Prange led off the game with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Bailey Dowling. Prange also came through in the seventh inning driving in the winning run on a single up the middle.
One of the hottest pitchers in the NCAA tournament, Jaala Torrence, got the start for the Crimson Tide and delivered a quality game for the Crimson Tide. Torrence however did lose her streak of shutout innings in the fifth inning when Northwestern’s Jordyn Rudd drove in a run, ending the streak at 27 innings without allowing a run. Torrence finished the game allowing just one run on seven hits over four and one-third innings.
Despite dealing with a leg injury leaving her less than 100%, Montana Fouts came in to relieve Torrence, pitching a perfect final two and two-thirds innings to get the win for the Crimson Tide. Fouts finished with three strikeouts over her two and two-thirds innings of work.
With the win Saturday night, Alabama forces a final game with Northwestern on Sunday to determine who gets a spot in the Women’s College World Series.
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