Torrence, Bats Lift Alabama Softball Past Middle Tennessee State 12-5

The Crimson Tide used an eight-run fourth inning to soar past the Blue Raiders in the Tuscaloosa Regional.

Mathey Gibson | May 20, 2023

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It wasn’t without an early-inning scare, but the Alabama Crimson Tide once again mashed its way to victory at Rhoads Stadium.

On Saturday, Patrick Murphy’s fifth-seeded Crimson Tide (42-18, 14-10 SEC) won its second consecutive game in the NCAA tournament, advancing to the Tuscaloosa Regional final after defeating the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders, 12-5.

It was a big day for senior infielder Bailey Dowling, who tallied four RBIs on a pair of two-run doubles, in the top of the third and fourth innings.

Joining Dowling with a hot bat was infielder Kali Heivilin, who blasted a two-run home run in the top of the fourth — her second of the regional.

Heivilin’s home run was merely an appetizer for Alabama fans in the fourth inning, with eight runs coming on two hits with three bases loaded walks and a wild pitch that scored Kenleigh Cahalan.

“When we were in that fourth inning we were fired up," Heivilin said. “We were ready to go, we were motivated. It took one person to get on base, one person to get a hit, and the rest of the offense was going to follow. I think just having that motivation and that grit is what got us through there.”

Getting the start in the circle for the Crimson Tide was sophomore Alex Salter, who struggled with command and exited in the third inning. She was credited with yielding four earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three.

Relieving Salter was junior Jaala Torrence, who steadied the ship after posting 4.2 innings of shutout ball — tallying four strikeouts and allowing only one hit.

Torrence’s impressive work in relief came just a day after the Dothan, Ala. product nabbed her eighth win of the season after throwing a complete game shutout against Long Island on Friday.

“She threw some really good curveballs, she had a really good change up a couple times, to me, she looks like she’s fresh,” Murphy said. “It’s not like she’s laboring, because she did throw yesterday. Kudos to her for being in great shape this time of year.”

In the wake of Montana Fouts’ hyperextended knee injury, the Alabama pitching staff continued to step up — a message of resiliency Murphy hopes to drill home.

“It’s just go out and do your thing,” Murphy said. ”Don’t try to do too much, because if you do too much, it’s probably not going to end very well. Just stay within yourself, no roller coaster ride of emotions, just do what you do best. The pitchers for sure, Jaala [Torrence] for sure, have done that the first two days.”

After yet another head-turning performance, Alabama will turn its attention towards the Tuscaloosa Regional final on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT with a trip to the Super Regionals on the line. After knocking Central Arkansas out of the tournament later Saturday night, the Blue Raiders will have to defeat the Crimson Tide twice to advance.

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