Alabama Softball's Kali Heivilin's Bat Stays Hot at Tuscaloosa Regional

The sophomore second baseman batting near the end of the order hit her second home run in two games, and helped her team stay unbeaten in the double-elimination tournament.

Will Miller | May 20, 2023

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — There was a lot of talk entering the 2023 NCAA Softball Tournament about the Alabama Crimson Tide's No. 5 seeding, but after a pair of solid wins at Rhoads Stadium the team has silenced the critics.

The offense has put up a combined 17 runs in 14 innings, and a major individual contributor to that number is second baseman Kali Heivilin, who has hit a home run in both Tuscaloosa Regional games.

On Saturday, after shortstop Kenleigh Cahalan walked in the top of the third inning, the sophomore launched one over the left field wall that wasted no time getting out. The Crimson Tide had been down 5-4.

No longer.

But it was more than just a momentum-changing hit.

"Our team goal right now is to go out there and prove that we deserve this 5-seed," Heivilin said.

She added that she's confident in the team's lineup.

"I was just trying to put the ball in play," she said. "I know that once one person starts it, it's going to keep going. We have such a strong lineup from top to bottom. Once that one person gets it going, that's going to happen. I was just trying to get on base."

Keep going, it certainly did. That blast was the beginning of an eight-run frame. Neither team scored again after the inning, but Alabama's outburst was more than enough. Heivilin finished the game with two hits and three RBIs in a trio of at-bats.

Heivilin added that she's playing relaxed and having fun at Rhoads Stadium. Her bat has helped Alabama in its unbeaten start to the NCAA tournament, and one win away from a super regional berth.

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