University of Washington
39-14
Alabama
50-12
Washington Drops Super Regional Opener In Extra Innings, 2-1
May 28, 2016 | Softball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Washington softball team dropped the opening game of the NCAA Super Regional, 2-1 in eight innings against Alabama on Friday night at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
A run in the second gave Washington (39-14) the upper hand, but Alabama (50-12) produced eight hits on the night and was able to tie the game in the fourth before winning off a walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth inning.
In a low scoring affair, both teams had plenty of chances, stranding a combined 21 batters on base. The Huskies stranded 13 runners, including leaving the bases loaded in the fifth and runners at second and third in the eighth. Washington's defense recorded three double plays to keep the Tide's offense at bay.
Senior Dani Braun led the Husky bats, going 2-for-2 with a run scored while fellow seniors Jennie McNeill and Kimberlee Souza accounted for Washington's other two hits in the contest.
Freshman RHP Taran Alvelo (18-6) took the loss after entering the game in the fourth inning, throwing 4.0 innings, allowing five hits and a run. Sophomore RHP Madi Schreyer started the game, throwing 3.0 innings, allowing three hits and a run. Alabama's Alexis Osorio earned the win, striking out 13 Husky batters.
With the game tied 1-1 in the eighth inning, Alabama used back-to-back walks and a fielder's choice to load the bases. The Tide then scored the winning run off a sharp hit back to Alvelo in the circle.
The Huskies took the game's first lead in the second inning, scoring off a throwing error after back-to-back hits by a pair of seniors. Braun started the rally, reaching on a bunt-single and McNeill followed with an infield single to the shortstop whose throwing error allowed Braun to score from first.
The Tide drew a bases loaded walk to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth. After a hit-by-pitch and a single put a pair on, Alvelo replaced Schreyer in the circle. Alabama then loaded the bases off a bunt and in the next at-bat, drew a walk to lock the game, 1-1. With the bases still loaded and no outs, the Huskies escaped the inning without any more damage done. After shortstop Ali Aguilar snagged a liner for the first out, junior Casey Stangel caught a fly out in left field and then gunned down the runner attempting to tag home from third.
Game two of the series is set for a 2:30 p.m. PT first pitch in Tuscaloosa Saturday. The game will be televised on ESPN.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Osorio (18-6)
L: Alvelo, Taran (18-6)
Batting:
SH: Van Zee, Taylor 1 ; Souza, Kimberlee 1 ; McNeill, Jennie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Braun, Dani 1
HBP: Souza, Kimberlee 1
Batting:
RBI: Turner 2
SH: Dare 1 ; Hawkins 1 ; Turner 1 ; Case 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bobo 1 ; Schroder 1
SB: McCleney 1
HBP: Grantham 1
