KNOXVILLE, Tennessee. – In the longest Super Regional game in NCAA history and the longest postseason game in program history, Alabama battled back and finally broke through in the 14th inning to defeat Tennessee, 3-2, and force a decisive third game on Sunday at 3 pm CT on Keynote USA.
The victory in the second game was the longest game in the all-time series between Alabama (37-18) and Tennessee (44-11), the longest Super Regional game in NCAA history and tied for second Longest game of all time for the Crimson Tide. It was the seventh extra inning game this season for Alabama, previously having 14 against LSU in the SEC Tournament and nine innings last weekend at Regionals in the winner’s bracket game against Southeastern.
The teams traded runs in regulation, with a solo home run by Bailey Dowling tying the game 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth. That would be the only score for the next 10 innings, as each team’s pitching and defense refused to break and both combined to leave 13 runners on base from the eighth to the 13th innings. The Lady Vols loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the 14th before a groundout got the Tide out of trouble and pinch-hitter Lauren Johnson hit a first-pitch single through the left side to start the bottom half of the inning . . A Riley Valentine double put two in scoring position with no one out and then Kali Heivilin was intentionally walked to set up the potential force at home. Kristen White made sure there was no chance of that happening, throwing a high ball to the shortstop as Johnson slid before the throw attempt to give Alabama the victory.
White was 2-for-6 at the top of the order, marking his third consecutive multi-hit game and improving his batting line in the NCAA Tournament to 9-for-20 (.450) with six runs scored. Kenleigh Cahalan and Valentine also had two-hit efforts Saturday and Dowling hit his fourth home run of the season to tie the game in the fourth, his first long ball since April 14. Kayla Beaver (18-9) earned the victory in relief. she with a valiant performance, throwing 10.0 scoreless innings with 165 pitches, the most of her career.
“Congratulations to Tennessee. That was a great game all the way around. They made play after play. When Riley (Valentine) hit that ball in the last inning, I figured it was going to be an unbelievable catch. Last time, he hit a ball off the wall and they made a perfect throw to get her out at second. The catcher sent one to center field with a stolen base, so I tried to steal another one at third and she made a perfect throw to get it. Kayla Beaver was so brave today. It’s amazing to see what she’s done this year.”
Reflexes
- Saturday’s victory was the longest Super Regional game in NCAA history and the longest game in the all-time series between Alabama and Tennessee.
- It is the fourth time the Tide has won the second game in a Super Regional series after losing the first game, and has won the series on each of the previous three occasions (2011 vs. Stanford, 2015 vs. Oklahoma, 2023 vs. Northwestern).
- Alabama is now 3-4 in extra innings games this season
- The Tide is 31-4 when scoring first and 16-2 when scoring in the first inning
- Alabama turned in its 21st double play of the season, three shy of the second-most in program history and five shy of the single-season record.
- Kristen White was 2-for-6, marking her third consecutive multi-hit game and seventh of the season.
- White is now hitting 9-for-20 (.450) with six runs scored in the NCAA tournament.
- Kayla Beaver pitched 10.0 innings and 165 pitches in relief, the most of her career.
- Bailey Dowling hit her fourth home run of the year, her first since April 14.
Scoring summary
- B1 | Kristen White scored from third on an RBI groundout (1-0, 1 Out)
- T2 | Laura Mealer singled with the bases loaded to left field to score one (1-1, 2 Out)
- T4 | Sophia Nugent hit a solo home run (1-2, 1 Out)
- B4 | Bailey Dowling tied the game with a solo home run to left field (2-2, 2 Out)
- B14 | Lauren Johnson scored from third on Kristen White’s RBI fielder’s choice (3-2, 0 Out)
Next up: Super Regionals vs. Tennessee (Knoxville, Tennessee)
- Sunday, May 26 – 3 pm CT – Keynote USA
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