Bama Softball Survives the Hokie Scare, Punches Ticket to Super Regionals
Alabama softball might need to start calling rain delays their good luck charm. After a lightning-halted start and a nail-biter finish, the Crimson Tide slipped past Virginia Tech 3-2 on Sunday to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament Super Regionals. Next stop? A showdown in Norman.
It wasn’t pretty, but it was gritty. Freshman Audrey Vandagriff kicked things off with a leadoff triple in the first, but Bama couldn’t capitalize—cue collective groans from Rhoads Stadium. It took until the fifth inning for the offense to wake up, when the Tide loaded the bases and forced a walk to get on the board. Then Lauren Johnson came in clutch, smacking a double to bring in two more and give Alabama a 3-0 cushion.
On the mound, Catelyn Riley was cool under pressure for six strong innings. But just when things were looking wrapped up, VT’s Rachel Castine launched a two-run bomb in the 7th to cut the lead to one. Alabama fans everywhere: Not again!
Enter Jocelyn Briski, who shut the door with ice in her veins, striking out a Hokie and sealing the deal.
With that, Alabama moves on, battle-tested and still dancing. Super Regionals, here they come.
