How Alabama softball scored narrow win over Virginia Tech to move on to NCAA Tournament super regional

Alabama softball advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s super regional round on Sunday. The Crimson Tide earned a 3-2 victory Virginia Tech in the Tuscaloosa regional, needing just one win to move on.

The Tide will move on to the Norman super regional next.

Catelyn Riley got the win in the circle for Alabama, with Jocelyn Briski earning a save. Emma Lemley took the loss for Virginia Tech.

Here are the highlights from Sunday’s game.

7th inning

-- No runs for Alabama. Crimson Tide will looked to defend its lead and earn a trip to the super regional round.

-- Rachel Castine drills a two-run homer to left and Alabama’s lead dwindles to 3-2 with one out.

-- Joycelyn Briski in to pitch for the Crimson Tide.

-- Briski strikes out Cori McMillan, one out to go.

-- Ball game. Alabama wins 3-2 and advances to the Norman super regional.

6th inning

-- Three up, three down for Alabama.

-- Virginia Tech gets a runner on first, but can’t advance further. Hokies will be down to their last chance in the seventh, down 3-0.

5th inning

-- Alabama loads the bases with one out. Larissa Preuitt up to bat.

-- VT walks home a run. Bases still loaded, now with two outs, and the Tide leads 1-0.

-- Lauren Johnson doubles in two runs. UA now up 3-0, runners on second and third, with two outs.

-- Alabama can’t manage any more scoring.

-- Virginia Tech goes scoreless once again, and the Tide takes its three-run lead to the sixth.

4th inning

-- Lauren Johnson singles for UA, its first hit since the first inning.

-- Still no scoring from Alabama in the top of the inning.

-- Two hits for Virginia Tech in the bottom of the fourth, but the Hokies leave both runners stranded.

3rd inning

-- Same result for Alabama, which has struggled offensively since the game-opening triple.

-- Virginia Tech gets runners on second and third, but comes up empty, and the game remains scoreless.

2nd inning

-- Alabama can’t get a runner on to start the inning.

-- Hokies manage a hit, but don’t score. Score is 0-0 after two.

1st inning

-- Without a single pitch thrown, the game is already in a lightning delay.

-- The grounds crew is tarping the field as the delay continues.

-- The game is now scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. CT.

-- Players are on the field for an on-time start at 4:30 p.m.

-- Game is finally underway, with Alabama at the plate to begin.

-- Audrey Vandagriff triples to right center and the Crimson Tide is in scoring position with no outs.

-- The next three Alabama batters go down in order and UA squanders a scoring opportunity in the top of the inning.

-- Virginia Tech can’t get on base, and it’s on to the second inning, still 0-0.

Pregame

-- Catelyn Riley will pitch for Alabama. Emma Lemley will start in the circle for Virginia Tech.

-- Alabama batting order: Audrey Vandagriff, Lauren Johnson, Kali Heivilin, Marlie Giles, Salen Hawkins, Brooke Ellestad, Mari Hubbard, Abby Duchscherer, Larissa Preuitt.

-- VT batting order: Cori McMillan, Jordan Lynch, Zoe Yaeger, Kylie Aldridge, Bre Peck, Emily LeGette, Trinity Martin, Annika Rohs, Rachel Castine.

-- Alabama will bat first as the designated road team, despite playing in its home stadium.