After a disappointing regular season, the Alabama softball team hoped to make a deep run in the SEC Tournament when it took the field on Wednesday morning. However, after a grueling 14 innings, the Crimson Tide suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 walk-off loss to LSU at Auburn’s Jane B. Moore Field.
No. 10 seed Alabama and No. 9 seed LSU were the first of four games scheduled to be played on Wednesday, however, the remaining three games were significantly delayed as Alabama and LSU set a new tournament record for the longest game played by innings.
Alabama started strong, scoring two runs in the first inning. Kali Heivilin's one-out double into the left-center gap brought home Kenleigh Cahalan and Larissa Preuitt. This early lead seemed promising, especially since Alabama had a perfect 14-0 record this season when scoring first.
However, the team struggled to maintain their offensive momentum for the remainder of the game, leaving multiple runners in scoring position left on base. Alabama finished the game with a total of eight hits over 14 innings.
LSU starting pitcher Sydney Berzon threw 208 pitches to complete the 14 innings for her 18th win of the season.
Alabama had two exceptional pitching performances in this game. Kayla Beaver started the game for the Crimson Tide, pitching six strong innings. She allowed only two hits, two runs, and struck out six batters. Jocelyn Briski then took over in relief, pitching 7.1 innings. She allowed eight hits and one run while also striking out six batters.
Briski was phenomenal in relief until the 14th inning, when she allowed three singles to load the bases with one out for Taylor Pleasants. Pleasants ended the marathon of a game with a walk-off single for LSU knocking Alabama out of the SEC Tournament.
With this loss, Alabama's overall record falls to 33-17, marking the first time the team will not advance to the quarterfinal round of the SEC Tournament. The Tide’s next challenge will be awaiting their NCAA tournament fate, which will be revealed during the NCAA Softball Selection Show on Sunday at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.
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