WCWS Notebook: Tennessee Continues Two-Out Dominance in Win Against Alabama
OKLAHOMA CITY — Two outs, so what? That’s the sign pasted on the right-field foul pole at Alabama’s Rhoads Stadium. That motto was used quite well on Thursday, except Tennessee was the team doing the two-out damage.
Alabama was one out away from ending the second inning when pitcher Jaala Torrence gave up three straight hits—the last one a two-run double—to put the Vols ahead. Tennessee got another two-run double to tack on two more runs.
Two outs mean nothing for Tennessee, a team that scores 64% of its runs with two outs this season.
“They really play one pitch at a time, and they're quick at recognizing when they get out of that mode and getting themselves and their teammates right back into it," Tennessee coach Karen Weekly said.
Tennessee hurt Alabama in the SEC Tournament with a two-out rally, and the Crimson Tide was roughed up a few times in the super regional with two-out rallies.
It was a fielding error with two outs that started the breakout inning for the Vols. Alabama made three fielding errors in the game.
“This is the World Series,” Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said. “You cannot give them extra outs. The margin of error is so slim. We talked about this. You just have to play clean the whole time.”
Lucky breaks
When things are not going your way, a little luck is always welcome. With two outs and trailing 4-0, Alabama got a couple of bounces to go its way to get back into the game with Tennessee.
First, Ally Shipman hit a soft fly ball to shallow left field, which ticked off the glove of the shortstop. That play brought in a run.
Next, Kenleigh Cahalan hit a slow roller down the first-base line, which hit the base and bounced a good 15 feet up in the air in front of the first baseman. That scored another run to make it a 4-2 deficit.
Expected power by unlikely sources
It was only a matter of time before Tennessee cranked a home run in the WCWS. The Vols have the top home run hitter in the country in Kiki Malloy and are second in the SEC in home runs with 76.
The Vols’ first homer in OKC came against Alabama by the unlikeliest player.
Jamison Brockenbrough had one home run this season and hit her second on Thursday off Jaala Torrence to give the Vols a 6-2 lead in the third inning.
In the fourth, Rylie West hit just her fifth home run of the year on a change-up from Alex Salter. The three-run shot put Tennessee on top 10-2.
“I was just trying to hit the ball hard somewhere deep in the outfield so (my teammate) could score,” West said. “So it was just a pretty simple process, and I got a good pitch, and I went for it.”
Heck of a debut
Marie Giles is a freshman who had 47 at-bats and 18 starts entering Thursday’s game with Tennessee.
She pinch-hit in the sixth inning and smashed a solo home run to left field. It’s her second homer of her Alabama career.
On the pitch before, it appeared she was hit in the arm, but replay overruled it as a foul ball.
"As a fifth-year senior, to see her come through like that in such a cool moment, it meant everything,” said senior third baseman Ashley Prange. “I remember just taking it all in with Coach (Allison Habetz), and I was like, ‘Man, my heart could explode right now on the field, just seeing the joy.’ She's worked so hard day in and day out, and everyone here has faith in her like no other. Seeing that all come together for her meant the world.”
Alabama and the WCWS record book
Alabama doesn’t have as long a history in the WCWS, but several players have put their names in the record book during their time here. Jackie Traina is third all-time with 15 pitching appearances.
For single-season Series records: Brittany Rogers is second all-time with five stolen bases (2009); Mandy Burford is second in hit-by-pitches with three (2006); Jackie Traina is second in wins with five (2012) and tied for second in complete games (six in 2012) and saves (two in 2011).
Montana Fouts (2021) is one of six players to throw a perfect game,
Tidebits
Thursday’s 10-5 outcome was the worst loss by Alabama in a WCWS opener; the Crimson Tide has lost three times at the WCWS by five runs...Alabama’s worst loss was in 2011, a 16-2 (five innings) decision by Florida, which was followed by a 9-2 loss to the Gators...Alabama is 4-10 in WCWS openers, including six losses in its first six openers...The 10 runs allowed is the most by Alabama this season since a 11-3 loss to Missouri on April 2.
See Also:
Little Lapses Lead to Big Loss for Alabama Softball in WCWS Opener
Alabama Softball Families Ready for Action in Oklahoma City
Everything Alabama Softball Said After Losing to Tennessee in WCWS
