Freshman Pitcher Jocelyn Briski Leads Alabama Over Georgia Tech in Defensive Battle
After run-ruling Longwood 13-0 in five innings on Friday, the Alabama softball team finished the latter part of a doubleheader against Georgia Tech in style with a 3-1 victory in a defensive battle. But unlike earlier in the day, the Crimson Tide's defense and pitching debut by freshman Jocelyn Briski was the main story.
Abby Duchscherer recorded just the Tide's second hit of the game in the third inning. Her double to left center helped shortstop Kenleigh Cahalan sprint home to open the scoring.
This spark worked in Alabama's favor in the fourth inning as Kali Heivilin and Lauren Johnson's doubles brought in two more runs to make the score 3-0. However, that would be all for the Tide's offensive production for the remainder of the game and they finished the evening with only five hits.
At this point, the matchup switched focus to the Tide's efforts on the defensive side of the ball. Pitcher Jocelyn Briski, who was in her freshman debut, was heavily a reason for Georgia Tech's hitting struggles, as very few balls left the infield.
That said, with Yellow Jacket runners on first and second in the bottom of the fourth, Georgia Tech's Mallorie Black hit the ball high and far toward left center, but Jenna Johnson leaped up and robbed a home run that would've tied the game. It was a "That'll be on SportsCenter tonight" type of play, as it truly altered the outcome.
Briski took care of business the rest of the way until a solo home run by Black in the bottom of the seventh put fans back on the edge of their seats. But that didn't seem to really faze Briski as the game was over three batters later.
Briski completed the game and tallied 115 pitches (82 strikes), five strikeouts, and allowed six hits two walks and one run. A truly remarkable start to her career.
