Alabama defeats VT, sweeps through Tuscaloosa Regional
Alabama defeated Virginia Tech 3-2 on Sunday, completing a sweep of the Tuscaloosa Regional and setting up a series rematch next weekend in Norman, Oklahoma, for Super Regionals.
Senior pitchers Catelyn Riley and Emma Lemley dueled through four scoreless innings before Alabama broke through in the fifth. Audrey Vandagriff drew a four-pitch, bases-loaded walk to score the first run. Two pitches later, Lauren Johnson singled on a fly ball to left that caused Trinity Martin to slip, allowing two more runs to score.
In the sixth, Virginia Tech opened with a leadoff single, but an inning-ending double play by Abby Duchscherer ended the threat. Alabama opened the seventh with a leadoff double, but Lemley responded with back-to-back strikeouts to escape the inning.
Down to their final three outs, the Hokies got a spark when Michelle Chatfield singled off Riley’s foot with one out. Rachel Castine then followed with her first hit of the regional — a two-run home run on an 0-2 pitch to left field, cutting the lead to one.
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Riley was then relieved by Jocelyn Briski, who struck out Cori McMillan and induced a popout to seal the win and send Alabama to its third consecutive Super Regional.
Lemley, in her final collegiate appearance, struck out seven and allowed three runs. Riley earned the win, and Briski recorded the save.
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