Alabama softball and rain delays? Name a more iconic duo.
After waiting out a 3.5-hour rain delay on Sunday in Tuscaloosa, the No. 15 Crimson Tide came out locked in and edged out Virginia Tech 3-2 to punch their ticket to the Super Regionals—again. That makes it three straight years and 19 times in the last 20 postseasons.
Pitcher Catelyn Riley had the whole weekend to rest and study up on the Hokies—and it paid off. She was lights-out through six innings, shutting down Virginia Tech until the 7th when a two-run homer cut the lead to one. That’s when Jocelyn Briski stepped in to shut the door.
Riley also worked her way out of some sticky situations early on, with a clutch unassisted double play by Abby Duchscherer at first base ending a sixth-inning threat.
Both teams were scoreless through four until Alabama broke through in the fifth. A couple of singles and a walk loaded the bases. Then true freshman Audrey Vandagriff came up, drew a walk, and celebrated with a bat slam that brought in the first run. Lauren Johnson followed that up with a perfectly placed blooper to bring home two more. Just like that, it was 3-0 Tide.
Virginia Tech made things interesting late, but Alabama’s pitching duo held on. Now it’s on to face No. 2 Oklahoma in the Super Regionals. The Sooners may have won four straight national titles, but Alabama took two of three from them earlier this season—so buckle up.
