WCWS Instant Analysis: Tennessee 10, Alabama 5

Crimson Tide has its back against the wall with quick loss in opener.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The moment didn't seem too big for Alabama early on in the Women's College World Series.

Ashley Prange led off with a walk and Jenna Johnson followed with a single against Tennessee on Thursday. Alabama followed with three straight outs and came away empty. It set the tone for the rest of the afternoon as Tennessee took a 10-5 victory, sending Alabama to the loser's bracket.

 I think one of the key stories was our opportunity in the first inning, and we didn't cash in," Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said. "First and third and no outs and 3, 4, 5 up to bat. We have to get some runs, something there, because it was a really good start, and then it kind of deflated us."

Alabama faces either top seed Oklahoma or No. 9 seed Stanford on Friday.

The game changed with two outs in the second inning after an Ashley Prange error. The Vols followed with three straight hits, including a two-run double. Tennessee later added another two-run double and Alabama quickly fell behind 4-0.

It comes back to that first inning again," Murphy said. "Just anything there to score a run, and I think (Tennessee pitcher Ashley Rogers) might get a little tight, they might get a little tight, and it's a different story."

Alabama didn't use Montana Fouts on Thursday, opting to save her for Friday. She was available, but the circumstance was not favorable for her to enter the game. Murphy said Fouts might have seen action had the score been closer or if UA was leading.

Kenleigh Cahalan led Alabama with two hits, including a two-run double and RBI single. Johnson also had two hits and freshman Marlie Giles had a pinch-hit, solo home run. Ally Shipman added an RBI single.

Torrence took the loss, allowing six runs on six hits in 2 1/3 innings.