Alabama doesn’t have long to assess their 4-1 loss to UCLA on Thursday before moving on to Friday night’s elimination matchup against the Duke Blue Devils.
No matter the opponent, Crimson Tide head coach Patrick Murphy believes he’ll have his team ready to rise to the occasion. After all, Alabama didn’t reach the 2024 College World Series on accident.
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“There’s eight really, really good teams at the end of the year,” Murphy said postgame. “Everybody really is playing their best. That’s the key to get here. You play your best the two weekends before, then you get to come to OKC.”
Coming into their stay in Oklahoma City, Alabama knew they would be paired up against the Bruins since the Super Regionals ended several days prior. After game one, however, it’s a new test every single day.
“That’s the fun part,” Murphy continued. “It’s a great game, a fun game. We have bases loaded and one out. We got one run. They had bases loaded and two outs, they got a three-run home run. It’s a great game, then it breaks your heart the next second.”
That heart-breaking, three-run home run came courtesy of Bruins slugger Jordan Woolery in the sixth inning. It was what ultimately allowed UCLA to pull away from the Crimson Tide during Thursday’s opening-round matchup.
For Alabama’s opponents, Duke was run-ruled by the three-time defending national champion Oklahoma Sooners 9-1 in six innings, setting up a win-or-go-home scenario for both the Crimson Tide and Blue Devils. The next loss for either team in the tournament will end their run in the 2024 Women’s College World Series.
This isn’t the first time Alabama have had their backs against the wall this postseason, however. The Crimson Tide lost its first game of the Knoxville Super Regional against Tennessee last weekend before besting the Volunteers on their home field during the next two days.
A similar stretch in Oklahoma City would result in Alabama playing itself right back into the national championship picture despite losing its first game. And Patrick Murphy appears to believe his team has the capabilities to do it. Luckily, fans don’t have to wait long to find out what’s next for the Alabama softball team.
The first pitch between the Crimson Tide and Blue Devils is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. ET and will air live on ESPN2 and the ESPN app.
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