Super sweep: Alabama softball is World Series-bound after 4-3 win over Michigan
Alabama players celebrate after their 4-3 win over Michigan in an NCAA Super Regional at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Friday.
Associated Press
This story was updated with post-game reaction from players and coaches.
It took the Michigan softball team six innings to begin to figure out Alabama pitcher Jackie Traina in their Super Regional opener.
The Wolverines hopped on the Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year early on Friday, but the No. 3-ranked Crimson Tide rallied for a 4-3 win to sweep the best-of-three series and advance to the Women’s College World Series.
"It's such a great feeling. You never want to waste a great crowd as a coach," Alabama coach Patrick Murphy said of the 2,557 fans at Rhoads Stadium. "I've seen it so many times when you have everything going for you and stuff happens. I am so proud of my team.
"The six seniors have been incredible for their four years. I couldn't ask for anybody better on my team and to represent the University of Alabama. I'm so proud of everybody on this team, one through 20."
After giving up three early runs, Alabama sophomore pitcher Jackie Traina shut out Michigan over the final five innings. "She wasn’t on her A-game," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said, "but boy she got on it."
Associated Press
A two-run home run to left field by Alabama's Kaila Hunt tied the game at 3-3 in the fifth inning and Kayla Braud had the game-winner in the sixth, a stand-up triple to right that scored pinch runner Danielle Richard.
Michigan put the tying run in scoring position with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Traina got the Wolverines’ Bree Evans to ground out and -- with Stephanie Kirpatrick still on second base -- ended the game by striking out Nicole Sappingfield.
The Crimson Tide (55-7) advance to the eight-team Women’s College World Series for the fourth time in five years. Michigan (42-17) has played in Oklahoma City once (in 2009) since winning a national championship in 2005.
Michigan senior first baseman Amanda Chidester gave the Wolverines an early lead with a solo home run to left in bottom of first inning.
After Alabama tied the score in the top of the second, Michigan took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the inning thanks to two Crimson Tide errors and three straight singles by Kirkpatrick, Lyndsay Doyle and Evans.
Traina, who allowed just three hits in the Crimson Tide’s 4-1 win on Thursday, settled down from there. She allowed one hit and three base runners over the final five innings, allowing Alabama to stage its comeback.
"Hat’s off to Alabama," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said. "Traina notched it up there late in the game. She wasn’t on her A-game, but boy she got on it."
Michigan's senior class of Evans, Chidester, Kirkpatrick and Hilary Payne ended their career with a 191-43 record.
"Our freshman year, we made it to the Women's College World Series, and Hutch told us that we might not ever make it back there," Chidester told reporters after the game.
"I didn't believe her when she said it to me because I came out of high school successful. I came in and we went in our first go-around here, and we didn't make it back. It's tough; it's very tough."
Michigan freshman pitcher Haylie Wagner allowed seven hits and three earned runs in a complete-game performance. She also walked five Alabama batters.
"I’m so proud because we came to play," Hutchins said. "We came to win and we didn’t get it done, but that’s all that you can ask of your kids is to play to win. It’s not as easy as it looks."
Comments
Engineer
Sat, May 26, 2012 : 2:27 p.m.
Annarbor.com we really did not need to see pics of the tide celebrating. Would have rather seen pics of our great team during game and left it at that! GO BLUE!!!!
Billy Bob Schwartz
Sat, May 26, 2012 : 6:27 p.m.
I thought that was pretty weird, too. There are plenty of good shots around of Michigan playing in the tournament. This, after all, is Ann Arbor. Let Tuscallosa show that pic.
Meral
Sat, May 26, 2012 : 1:46 p.m.
It was a great tournament. Michigan had class all the way. Michigan player on Fridays game wrote GO BLUE on the sand. After ESPN pointed out five minutes later ground crew was out there wiping it out. What a class act, that role tide had. Hutch and the team are the still best. I would not trade them for anything. Next year.....
Blue1997
Sat, May 26, 2012 : 6:41 a.m.
Congratulations woman on another proud season in Michigan Softball. On a side note, Hopefully Business man Brandon doesn't decide that Huch needs to go.......as we need to go to the next level....
macjont
Sat, May 26, 2012 : 12:48 a.m.
The loss notwithstanding, Hutch has this Michigan program on track. Will miss the graduating seniors; but looking forward to next year. Go Blue!
heartbreakM
Sat, May 26, 2012 : 12:05 a.m.
What a sad ending to a great year. Bama plays very well--their pitcher is outstanding, and their team play was very cohesive and pretty solid. Bama seemed to make more errors than the season stats showed. On the flip side, I don't think Michigan played its best ball this weekend. Bama had a lot to do with that, but their sloppiness was not characteristic. I also don't understand why they switched catchers, and I don't know why they didn't put the other pitcher Driesenga (sp??) in. Hayley must have been exhausted but I guess you win with your best, you lose with your best. The Michigan softball team should continue to hold its head high, and know how we fans admire them, even if they are now out.
maizenbluedoc
Fri, May 25, 2012 : 11:34 p.m.
Great try ladies, but you were just overmatched by a good Alabama team. One thing I did not understand, why did Hutch use a catcher who had not played since March? I thought the freshman catcher did a remarkable job, and she had a very fast release of the ball. Today's catcher made two bad throws to 2B which could have been outs. The error on Chidester was the turning point (although the throw was wide and she would have been off the bag had she moved to catch the ball). Maybe next year ladies, although Chidester will be greatly missed.
Engineer
Sat, May 26, 2012 : 2:25 p.m.
Thats pretty simple. Blanchard started all last year and was excellent. Her batting average is about 100 points higher than sweet and she got a couple hits early. This team all year has struggled to get hits. When you looked at the list of starters for Alabama and Michigan they average about 50 points higher right down the list. Hopefully hutch can get this corrected next year. Blanchard had the second or third best average on the team right there with Chiddy and Sara D and after that we dipped significantly. Sweet was excellent behind the plate and I hope to see her more down the road also for the record but we need a lineup where the majority of our batters are .325 plus to run with the big dogs. I would have like to see Sara D get a shot of pitching when Hylie struggled walking several in a row. Monday morning coaching is easy though and Hutch is great so hats off to her. Seniors thanks for another BG1 title and you have been great fun to watch and best of luck to you in future . Underclassmen the bar has been set high! Great year ladies and Go Blue!!!