It turns out to be a short day today at the Women's College World Series, as each of the no-loss teams (Oklahoma and Alabama) win their first games against the one-loss teams (ASU and Cal, respectively), to preclude the need for any rematches.
It's now on to the two-out-of-three championship series, beginning Monday night, between Oklahoma and Alabama. As the ESPN announcers noted throughout the day, it will be the first final without a team from the Pac 10/12 since 1986.
Below are my live bloggings from the two Sunday games. See you tomorrow night!
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Alabama pitcher Jackie Traina has just homered in the bottom of the second to give the Crimson Tide a 1-0 lead over California.
In the top of the third, Traina got off the track a bit, allowing Cal to load the bases with two outs. However, a good play by the Bama first-baseperson in snaring a hard-hit (apparent) one-hopper prevented any score.
The Crimson Tide has upped its lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the third, with a threat still going (second and third with one out).
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene! (a musical reference). Cal's Henderson strikes out two straight to end the threat.
Sister Danielle Henderson socks a two-run homer into the upper part of the left-field bleachers to tie the game at 2-all.
Bama retakes the lead, 3-2, in the bottom of the fourth. But for some great defensive plays by Cal, the margin would be even greater.
Kaila Hunt's solo shot in the bottom of the fifth gives the Tide a two-run cushion.
Another solo shot, by Jazlyn Lunceford in the bottom of the sixth, extends Alabama's lead to 5-2.
And that's how it ends: 5-2 for Bama, to eliminate Cal.
***
Defending national champion Arizona State is running out of time. Having lost once earlier in the Women's College World Series, the Sun Devils are currently down to their last at-bats, trailing Oklahoma 5-3. I will live-blog the top of the seventh:
Alabama and Cal are up next.
It's now on to the two-out-of-three championship series, beginning Monday night, between Oklahoma and Alabama. As the ESPN announcers noted throughout the day, it will be the first final without a team from the Pac 10/12 since 1986.
Below are my live bloggings from the two Sunday games. See you tomorrow night!
***
Alabama pitcher Jackie Traina has just homered in the bottom of the second to give the Crimson Tide a 1-0 lead over California.
In the top of the third, Traina got off the track a bit, allowing Cal to load the bases with two outs. However, a good play by the Bama first-baseperson in snaring a hard-hit (apparent) one-hopper prevented any score.
The Crimson Tide has upped its lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the third, with a threat still going (second and third with one out).
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene! (a musical reference). Cal's Henderson strikes out two straight to end the threat.
Sister Danielle Henderson socks a two-run homer into the upper part of the left-field bleachers to tie the game at 2-all.
Bama retakes the lead, 3-2, in the bottom of the fourth. But for some great defensive plays by Cal, the margin would be even greater.
Kaila Hunt's solo shot in the bottom of the fifth gives the Tide a two-run cushion.
Another solo shot, by Jazlyn Lunceford in the bottom of the sixth, extends Alabama's lead to 5-2.
And that's how it ends: 5-2 for Bama, to eliminate Cal.
***
Defending national champion Arizona State is running out of time. Having lost once earlier in the Women's College World Series, the Sun Devils are currently down to their last at-bats, trailing Oklahoma 5-3. I will live-blog the top of the seventh:
- ASU leads off with a hard single to left.
- Keilani Ricketts overcomes a 3-1 count to the next batter, blowing two straight strikes by her (1 out).
- Another strike-out. Sun Devils down to their final out.
- Ricketts strikes out the side.
Alabama and Cal are up next.