Jaala Torrence Deserves Some Credit for Role in Alabama Softball Win in Super Regional

Junior delivers solid performance in the circle to keep Crimson Tide's Women's College World Series goal within reach.

Jaala Torrence was put in a tough situation Saturday.

The Alabama softball pitcher was tasked with shutting down No. 12 Northwestern in Game 2 of the super regional.

If she didn’t, the season was over and No. 5 Alabama would be sitting at home watching the Women’s College World Series.

Alabama’s WCWS goal is still within reach, thanks to Torrence’s solid performance in the circle. She pitched four shutout innings and gave up her first run of the postseason (26 innings) to help Alabama down the Wildcats 2-1 and force a Game 3 on Sunday. First pitch is at 3:05 p.m. on ESPN.

It’s been a wild ride for Torrence this season. She started eight games this season with zero complete games, and most of her appearances were in relief duty.

Until the playoffs.

With Alabama ace Montana Fouts unavailable due to a knee injury, Torrence was forced to step into the spotlight and take command.

She responded with two complete-game shutouts in the regional against LIU in the opener and Middle Tennessee in the championship game.

“She’s gotten opportunities at the end of the year and we always say be ready for your opportunity. She has,” Alabama coach Patrick Murphy said. “That’s why I’m so proud of her.

Then on Saturday, Torrence stepped up when Alabama needed her most.

“She could have folded her tent way back in March but she didn’t,” Murphy said. “She kept working, she didn’t pout. She kept working on little things and now you’re seeing the results of that.”

Torrence got into trouble a few times against Northwestern, but worked herself out of it.

Northwestern started the second inning with back-to-back singles. Torrence retired the next three hitters to end the threat.

In the third she got two quick outs, but gave up another pair of back-to-back singles and a walk to load the bases.

Torrence didn’t hide her emotions, and was angry with the situation.

“She’s pretty stoic usually,” Murphy said.

The anger turned to exuberance after she struck out Northwestern’s home run leader Angela Zedak to end the threat.

“She made the pitches when she needed to,” Murphy said.

Torrence ended her scoreless run streak in the fifth when Northwestern tied the game 1-1. She exited and Fouts came in to finish the job while Ashley Prange played the offensive hero with a game-winning RBI single in the seventh.

“Jaala gave us a really good start, and Montana—she’s unreal,” Murphy said. “Prange did the rest.”