Gary Cosby Jr. / USA Today Network
Shipman, Heivilin, Torrence Power Alabama Softball to 5-0 Victory Over Long Island
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — On a cloudy night at Rhoads Stadium, the Alabama Crimson Tide offense brought thunder.
Just days after it was selected as the nation’s fifth-overall seed, Patrick Murphy’s squad set out to silence the critics on day one of the NCAA Tournament. While defeating Long Island wouldn’t necessarily turn heads, taking care of business at your home park would certainly be a step in the right direction of silencing an abundance of skeptics.
Behind the wings of a fantastic outing from junior pitcher Jaala Torrence, the Crimson Tide did just that.
Throwing her first shutout of the season, Torrence went the distance – seven innings of four-hit, four-strikeout ball while commanding the plate with a fastball that painted the corners.
Her first spotless outing since posting two innings of shutout relief work vs. Samford on April 11, Torrence found herself in the win column for the first time since March 14 vs. North Alabama. Now standing at 7-2 on the season with a 2.43 ERA, Torrence is hitting her stride at just the right time – and the team’s confidence in her ability continues to climb.
“As soon as we found out Jaala was going in the circle, we were like ‘Oh yeah, she’s ready to go,’ especially after her performance versus Tennessee last weekend,” infielder Kali Heivilin said. “She was fired up."
“Every pitcher that goes in the circle, I just have confidence [in them] and I know that they’ll get the job done, and that they have our backs.”
For Heivilin, a towering second inning two-run home run helped push the Alabama offense past the Sharks – one of two blasts over the left field fence for the Crimson Tide.
“I was fired up this whole week, honestly,” Heivilin said. “After us getting the opportunity to be the fifth seed, all of us, we’re ready to go. We’re ready to prove to people that we deserve this fifth seed."
“I think having that mindset all week of ‘we’re going to prove to everybody that we deserve this seed,’ fired me up a little bit to just go out there, have fun, and show them who you are.”
In the bottom of the fifth inning, senior catcher Ally Shipman deposited a two-run home run of her own, all but cementing an opening round victory for Alabama.
After an impressive showing, the Crimson Tide will turn its attention towards a matchup with Middle Tennessee State on Saturday – with Montana Fouts potentially on the way back.
“She pitched full out in the batting cages before [the Long Island game],” Murphy said. “I wasn’t in there, I didn’t see it, but I’m pretty sure it’s true [laughs], there was a rumor going around. Not to be spreading rumors, but yes - but I honestly don’t know if she’ll pitch tomorrow.”
First pitch for No. 5 Alabama vs. Middle Tennessee State is set for tomorrow at 12:00 CT. The losing team is scheduled to play again in the evening.
