Alabama defeats defending champ Arizona State 2-1 to advance to semifinals

[pmull]

Jackie Traina's relief pitcher provided her with relief hitting, as designated player Amanda Locke homered in the sixth inning to lift Alabama to a 2-1 win over defending champion Arizona State Friday night to send the Crimson Tide to the semifinals of the Women's College World Series.

No. 2 Alabama (57-7) will play in the semifinal round Sunday at 2:30 p.m. CDT. No. 1 California will play at 8:30 tonight against the winner of the 1:30 p.m. elimination game between Tennessee and Oregon. The winner of the nightcap will face the Crimson Tide Sunday to advance to the finals.

Traina, throwing her school-record 39th career win, outlasted the last year's Series co-MVP Dallas Escobedo, throwing 140 pitches, allowing three hits, facing nine full counts and striking out 11. That included three strikeouts against Alix Johnson, a .411 hitter going into the game.

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[Jamos]

Wow, what a win for the ladies. I've said all along that you don't measure Jackie Traina's pitching by finess but you measure it by desire. She had so many full counts on batters and a couple of defensive mistakes that put her behind the eight ball but she rolled up her sleeves and beat one of the better teams in the tournament. This seems to be her trademark because there are so many times that she could make it a lot easier on herself if she didn't have those dreaded bases on balls at such crucial times.

For Bama to have any chance at winning the championship they had to stay in the winners bracket and they did that, now how will they handle their next game Sunday. Chances are they will play the team that a lot of tv personnel was hoping to see in the tournament, California. Again it will be very important for Bama to win their first game, regardless of who they are playing, to save Traina's arm for the championship best two out of three series on Monday.

Could this be the year for Bama to get the SEC it's first national championship? Yes it could, but they will have to play better than they did last night to make this happen. It only gets tougher as you go deeper into the tournament.

Roll Tide!! 

[Chechem]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT

Thanks for posting.

[pmull]

Excellant post Jamos.

Traina walks more than any of us, including CPM, would like but IMO that is one reason she is so effective. She does not give in late in the count and put the ball over the middle of the plate. Even when she is behind in the count she is still pitching to the corners of the plate. She gives up a few walks but limits the opponents hits. If you throw the ball over the middle of the plate at this level you will give up too many hits regardless of your velocity and spin. She is tough and does not get rattled.

Traina won her 39th game of the year. That is a school record and we have had some very good pitchers. She stuck out 11 last night against a good Arizona State team. Until Ricketts stuck out 16 in the game just prior to ours 11 K's were a WCWS record.

It is hard to argue that Locke deserves to be the game MVP because of her 2 hits including the game winning HR but I will. I would have named Traina MVP if I had a vote. Co-MVP would have been a good option last night.

The ladies need to enjoy the day off and get ready to play Sunday afternoon. Most likely we will play No. 1 seed Cal.

Roll Tide!

[BAMAWV]

Bama stranded 10-12 baserunners last night. IDK. But a little "Lady Luck" could've turned that game into 6-1. You know CPM had someone in the bullpen when Traina still had a (4 inning) no-hitter going. Maybe she was just pissed off.

[SUPERCOACH]

I think we can handle Cal, but it will be a tough game.  Oklahoma is on fire right now though, so we will have to bring our best game if we make it to Monday.

[SUPERCOACH]

I think we are going to pull it off though.  Roll Tide!  Finish It!

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