Bama Central

Live Blog: No. 15 Alabama Softball vs. Missouri (Game 2)

Score updates and analysis from Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide tries to clinch the series over the Tigers.

Katie Windham

Rhoads Stadium prior to Alabama softball's matchup with Mizzou on April 26
Rhoads Stadium prior to Alabama softball's matchup with Mizzou on April 26 / BamaCentral

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— Alabama softball is trying to secure its third straight SEC home series at Rhoads Stadium with Saturday night's matchup with the Missouri Tigers.

The No. 15 Crimson Tide won Game 1, 4-2, on Friday behind 6.1 innings in the circle for Jocelyn Briski. Catelyn Riley came in to close out the game. Riley will get the start on Saturday night.

Missouri is now 23-27 (4-15 SEC) and will have to win out in the regular season to be eligible for the NCAA Tournament. Alabama (33-18, 9-10 SEC) is trying to get back up above .500 in SEC play and continue fighting for better postseason seeding.

It is a much prettier evening at Rhoads than the opening game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. on SEC Network. BamaCentral will provide updates throughout.

Starting lineups:

Missouri softball at Alabama starting lineups- April 26
Missouri softball at Alabama starting lineups- April 26 / Statbroadcast

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Live Blog

(latest updates at the top)

FINAL SCORE: Alabama 7, Missouri 6

In-game updates

Bottom 7

Alabama walks off Missouri on a throwing error by the third baseman. FINAL: Alabama 7, Missouri 6

Larissa Anderson takes a timeout in the circle to meet with Pannell before Clark's at-bat.

Duchscherer rips one through the left side, and Alabama moves the winning run into scoring position with two outs for Clark.

After getting up 3-0 in the count, Hawkins flies out to left for the second out.

Ellestad singles up the middle to ive Alabama one-out baserunner. Kinley Pate comes in to pinch run as the winning runner.

Mizzou makes a diving catch in center to rob Heivilin of a hit.

3-4-5 due up for the Tide in the bottom of the seventh.

Mizzou brings in Taylor Pannell to pitch.

MID 7: Alabama 6, Missouri 6

Top 7

Flyout ends the half inning, but Mizzou ties the game on Crenshaw's blast.

Crenshaw ties the game with a three-run home run (her second of the game.) Alabama 6, Missouri 6

Bloop single to left field keeps the Tigers alive and puts two on with two outs. Mizzou brings the tying run to the plate.

A popup brings Mizzou down to its final out.

Johnson bounces back with a strikeout. One out.

After review, it is ruled a foul ball. Runner goes back to first, and Uptegrove is still at the plate

Mizzou doubles down the third base line to put two in scoring position with nobody out. Alabama is challenging the fair call.

Leadoff walk for the Tigers.

END 6: Alabama 6, Missouri 3

Bottom 6

A popup strands Giles at third.

Vandagriff rolls one over to the right side for the second out, but Giles reaches third.

White pops up her second bunt attempt of the day, and Patrick Murphy is not going to be pleased at all. One out.

Leadoff bloop double for Giles.

MID 6: Alabama 6, Missouri 3

Top 6

Johnson strikes out the first batter she faces to strand the runner at second. However, Mizzou gets some life in the sixth on Walker's home run.

After a hard-hit double, Riley's day is done. Alea Johnson (2-2, 3.97 ERA) enters from the bullpen with a runner on second and two outs.

Madison Walker crushes her 18th home run of the year, and Mizzou cuts the Alabama lead to three runs. Alabama 6, Missouri 3

Crenshaw moves into scoring position with two outs on a groundball to the right side.

One-out walk gives Mizzou a baserunner.

END 5, Alabama 6, Missouri 1

Bottom 5

A strikeout and a groundout retire the side.

Hard hit ball off the pitcher's glove results in a one-out single for Hawkins.

Ellestad, Hawkins and Duchscherer due up for Alabama in the fifth. If the Tide can score three runs this ining, this game is over.

MID 5: Alabama 6, Missouri 1

Top 5

Three up, three down for Riley in the top of the fifth.

END 4: Alabama 6, Missouri 1

Bottom 4

Heivilin flies out to end the rally, but Alabama adds one more in the fourth inning.

Stolen base turns out to be big. Johnson legs out an infield single on a slow roller to the left side, and Giles comes around to score all the way from second. Alabama 6, Missouri 1

Alabama's next two batters get out, but Giles moves into scoring position with two outs on a stolen base.

Giles reaches on an error to give Alabama a leadoff runner for the third time toay.

Giles, White and Vandagriff due up for Alabama in the fourth.

MID 4: Alabama 5, Missouri 1

Top 4

Riley strands the runner with her second K of the game.

Missouri has a runner in scoring position with two outs after a ball in the dirt.

One-out single up the middle from Walker.

After falling behind 3-0 in the count, Riley induces a ground ball for the first out.

Pupillo does not stay in the game. Duchscherer goes back out at first base.

END 3: Alabama 5, Missouri 1

Bottom 3

Nothing doing for Alabama after Ellestad's single, but Heivilin's big blast extends the Tide lead in the third.

Alexis Pupillo comes in to pinch hit for Abby Duchscherer. I'm assuming she'll take over for her in the field at first base as well.

Hawkins' second sacrifice bunt of the game moves Ellestad into scoring position with one out.

Infield single from Ellestad makes it three straight baserunners for the Tide. Ellestad's third hit of the series.

Mizzou will make a pitching change. Harrison exits, and Marissa McCann (9-10, 3.99 ERA) enters the circle.

Heivilin crushes her 13th home run of the season. It puts Alabama up 5-1 over Missouri

Leadoff walk for Johnson.

Johnson, Heivilin and Ellestad due up for the Tide in the third.

MID 3: Alabama 3, Missouri 1

Top 3

Diving stop and throw from her knees for the third out from Ellestad. Like I said, good defense.

Nice play by Hawkins at short for the second out. Alabama has been playing good defense so far this series.

Riley gets her first strikeout of the game for the first out of the inning.

END 2: Alabama 3, Missouri 1

Bottom 2

Vandagriff gets caught stealing for the seventh time this year to end the inning.

Vandagriff draws a two-out walk, her second of the game.

MID 2: Alabama 3, Missouri 1

Top 2

Riley knocks down a hard shot hit right back at her for the final out. Good defense by Alabama so far.

Alabama's defense turns another double play to add to the new program record. Great play by Ellestad at third to start the turn.

Daly singles to left field to give Mizzou a leadoff baserunner.

END 1: Alabama 3, Missouri 1

Bottom 1 - Alabama batting

The next three batters go down in order, but Alabama claims the lead on Ellestad's 3-RBI double.

For the second day in a row, Brooke Ellestad clears the bases with a double in the first inning. This time, it's on an inside-out swing that shoots the ball down the third base line. Alabama takes the lead, 3-1

Heivilin lays down a bunt that bounces over the charging third baseman's head to load the bases with nobody out.

Johnson gets hit by a pitch to put two with nobody out.

Leadoff walk for Vandagriff. That's her team-leading 30th walk as her OBP stays over .500

MID 1: Missouri 1, Alabama 0

Top 1- Mizzou batting

Riley bounces back from the leadoff HR with three straight groundouts to retire the side.

Leadoff home run for Julia Crenshaw. Her 12th of the year gives Missouri the early 1-0 lead

First pitch from Riley is a ball, and this game is underway.

Pre-game updates

It is alumni weekend at Rhoads Stadium, and there are several Alabama legends in the house including Haylie McCleney, Ally Shipman, Kaylie Tow, Amanda Locke and Kayla Beaver. Alabama is also celebrating 50 years of women's athletics at the Capstone.

Last home (regular season) series of the year, and players are in the stands before the game introducing themselves to fans and thanking them for coming to Rhoads. A few pics are being snapped, too. Patrick Murphy is all about setting a good culture.

Alabama has big block numbers up in the outfield saying "100,000 fans" that wasn't there on Friday. Another season where Alabama surpasses six-figure fans for the season.

The 8 p.m. first pitch is the latest I can remember for a regular season game at Rhoads during my five seasons covering the team.

Alabama is wearing the crimson on crimson uniforms today.

The dedication of Alabama softball fans always impresses me. No matter the time of game or weather, there will be fans lined up outside the stadium waiting to get into the Brickyard more than an hour into the game.

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Katie Windham
KATIE WINDHAM

Katie Windham is the assistant editor for BamaCentral, primarily covering football, basketball gymnastics and softball. She is a two-time graduate of the University of Alabama and has covered a variety of Crimson Tide athletics since 2019 for outlets like The Tuscaloosa News, The Crimson White and the Associated Press before joining BamaCentral full time in 2021. Windham has covered College Football Playoff games, the Women's College World Series, NCAA March Madness, SEC Tournaments and championships in multiple sports. 

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