Washington Falls To No. 6 Alabama

Saturday, May 16

Tuscaloosa, AL

9:00 AM

University of Washington

41-16

NCAA Regionals: Alabama

44-12

Washington

Alabama

Photo by: Washington Athletics

May 16, 2015 | Softball

Box Score

By: Washington Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 6 Alabama used a pair of four-run innings to beat the Huskies 9-0 (5) and hand Washington its first loss in the 2015 NCAA Tournament. The Huskies will play the winner of Fairfield and USC Upstate today at 1 p.m. PT to keep their season alive.

Alabama opened the scoring Saturday with a two-out rally in the top of the first. The Tide took one pitch to get their first base runner of the game, reaching on a hard slap off the dirt to open the frame. After Husky starting pitcher Kirstyn Thomas recorded her first strikeout of the game, the runner advanced to second off a fielder's choice and to third off a wild pitch. Alabama then used an RBI single through the right side to score the game's first run.

Alabama used two home runs and an RBI sac-fly to tack on four runs in the second. Danae Hays hit a solo home run to open the frame and the Tide followed with back-to-back singles. After a bunt advanced the pair, Alabama scored off a sac-fly before Haylie McCleney delivered the Tide's second homer of the inning to give her team a 5-0 advantage.

Alabama's starting pitcher Alexis Osorio kept the potent Husky bats at bay, setting down the Washington batters in order in all but one inning. Freshman Trysten Melhart had the Huskies' lone hit in the third. After falling behind early in the count, the freshman battled back to work the count full before singling down the left field line.

Junior Hailey Bator entered the circle for the Huskies to start the bottom of the third. The junior lefty struck out her first batter faced before inducing a pop up for two quick outs. After a two-out single gave the Tide a baserunner, a pop up ended the inning and the Husky defense recorded their first scoreless frame.

Alabama broke the game open in the fourth using another two-out rally. After Bator struck out the lead off batter for the second straight inning, the Tide singled and one out later, drew a walk. After a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, Marisa Runyon hit a grand slam to put Alabama on top, 9-0.

Thomas (3-2) took the loss, allowing five runs on six hits with one strikeout in 2.0 innings. Bator went 2.0 innings of relief, allowing four runs on three hits with two strikeouts.

Washington returns to action, playing the winner of Fairfield and USC Upstate at 1 p.m. PT this afternoon.