Alabama Punches Its Ticket to OKC After Defeating Kentucky 4-1
Pack your bags, the Crimson Tide is headed to Oklahoma City for the 13th time in program history!
With the Rhoads House more full than super-fan Emily Pitek had ever seen it, Alabama punched its ticket to the Women’s College World Series.
“They were the grittiest, most resilient team I think we’ve ever had here,” head coach Patrick Murphy said about Team 25. “They could’ve folded their tents [due to adversity]… They’ve done a great job of staying together, keeping their eyes on the prize and doing what they need to do on and off the field. I couldn’t be more proud of our group.”
The Crimson Tide took an early lead and continued to add to it throughout the game to defeat the Wildcats in game two of the Tuscaloosa Super Regionals.
Alabama was named the designated visitors team for game two of the series. This allowed the team to come out swinging… and they did.
Leadoff batter Alexis Mack got things started off for her team with a single to put one on for Bailey Hemphill.
Hemphill drew a five-pitch walk to move Mack into scoring position for Kaylee Tow.
Tow came up big for her team scoring Mack and Hemphill on a double to left field.
After Kentucky cut Alabama’s lead in half, the Crimson Tide answered an inning later in the fourth.
Savannah Woodard placed a hit right in the middle of the field to put a runner on base for Maddie Morgan.
Morgan saw three pitches and sent the fourth to deep right field. Rhoads Stadium was on its feet as the third baseman extended Alabama’s lead with her first home run of the season.
“It was so bittersweet to hit it here [at Rhoads],” Morgan said about her home run. “And especially the game to go to Oklahoma City. I’ve been so close all year, so I’m happy.”
Starting pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl and the defense behind her to keep Kentucky from scoring more than one run after the second inning.
“We played great defense,” said Murphy. “[We] didn’t have any errors, which is the key… great defense.”
Kilfoyl with fire running through her veins put up six of her seven strikeouts after Kentucky’s one run.
“Runs are going to come with some hits,” said Kilfoyl. “I kind of use that to piss myself off a little bit.”
She pitched all seven innings, her first time doing so in two months. She performed with what Murphy called a 'pitcher's demeanor' in her first super regional experience.
"Kilfoyl was outstanding," Murphy said.
Her 'outstanding' performance helped punch her team's ticket to Oklahoma City.
Alabama will be in Oklahoma on Thursday, June 3 and will face the winner of the Fayetteville Super Regional between Arkansas and Arizona.
Game times an TV information are TBD as of now.