May 30, 2009

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Down 2-0 with the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy turned to freshman Jazlyn Lunceford to pinch-hit for four-time All-American Brittany Rogers. The newcomer delivered as she hit a two-out grand slam to lead Alabama to a 6-2 win Saturday night at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium. The win propels the Crimson Tide into the final four as it improves to 54-10 on the season.

The Sun Devils struck first, scoring two runs in the top of the fourth on Katie Crabb's two-run home run to left to give Arizona State an early 2-0 lead.

"It is not often that you beat Mike Candrea and Clint Myers on the same day, and that could be the best day in the history of our program, especially since our backs were against the wall," said Murphy. "It is do or die and to eliminate Arizona and Arizona State on the same day is one hell of an accomplishment. Credit goes to the team."

Alabama would strike back in the bottom half of the frame to claim their first lead of the game in dramatic fashion. Cassandra Reilly-Boccia drew a lead-off walk and a sacrifice bunt by Ashley Holcombe advanced Catherine Dozier, who pinch ran for Reilly-Boccia, to second. Whitney Larsen would reach after being hit by a pitch and a Kellie Eubanks walk loaded the bases.

A force out at home produced the second out of the inning, and brought up the top of the lineup and four-time All-American Brittany Rogers. However, head coach Patrick Murphy elected to pinch hit Lunceford for Rogers and the decision ultimately paid dividends as Lunceford drove a 2-2 pitch over the left field wall to put the Tide on top with a 4-2 lead.

"It was really exciting to be in that situation" Lunceford said. "I just knew that I wanted to get it done for our seniors because it means a lot to them. The whole team just wants to do it for them."

The Crimson Tide added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth as Whitney Larsen hit a ground ball up the middle off the glove of the second baseman scoring Reilly-Boccia from  second. The game's final run came on a double steal with pinch-runner Jessica Smith sliding under the catcher's tag to give Alabama the final 6-2 advantage over Arizona State.

Sophomore Kelsi Dunne picked up the win for Alabama, putting her season mark at 28-4. Dunne allowed two earned runs, but only allowed two walks, while striking out nine in seven innings. Hillary Bach was tagged with the loss for Arizona State and finishes her season at 31-11. Bach gave up six runs, four earned, walked four and struck out four.

Alabama becomes the third team from the Southeastern Conference to advance to the semifinals of the WCWS and will face the Florida Gators Sunday at 2:00 p.m. CDT and the game will be broadcast on ESPNHD. If Alabama wins the game, they will face Florida again to determine which team will advance to the WCWS Championship Series.