Clutch hitting and superb pitching have been the theme of the Alabama softball postseason, and Friday night was no different. Staring in the face of elimination from the Women’s College World Series, Alabama’s pitching showed up, and its offense delivered a clutch hit to beat Duke 2-1, eliminating the Blue Devils from the tournament.
Alabama kept the postseason trend alive, scoring a run in the first inning. Kenleigh Cahalan reached second base on a two-base throwing error and scored the game’s first run on an RBI double from Marlie Giles.
Duke answered in the bottom of the second inning with a home run to left center from Ana Gold that would tie the game at 1-1. Both teams' pitchers would keep each other off the scoreboard until the sixth inning.
In the top of the sixth inning, Giles delivered another clutch hit, this time clearing the wall for the game-winning home run.
Jocelyn Briski started the game for the Crimson Tide and pitched 3.1 innings, allowing just one run on five hits. Kayla Beaver took over in relief and pitched the final 3.2 innings without allowing a hit or a run to record the win.
No. 14 seed Alabama will play in another elimination game on Sunday at 2 p.m. against the loser of No. 1 seed Texas and No. 4 seed Florida.
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