Rapid Reaction from Alabama’s Victory Over UCLA in the Women’s College World Series

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Alabama softball faced adversity in its opening game of the Women's College World Series, facing a deficit early after a pair of home runs from UCLA. The Tide fought through adversity en route to a 6-3 victory in the Tide's first appearance at the Women's College World Series this season.

Jocelyn Briski Not Rattled Despite UCLA Power

Alabama pitcher Jocelyn Briski got the nod in the circle and was faced with the tall task of facing the top offense in college softball: the UCLA Bruins. UCLA had the nation's home run leader in the 2-hole in the batting lineup, and immediately following her was the Big Ten Player of the Year. Briski brought strong momentum into the WCWS, not allowing a run so far this postseason, but could have easily seen her confidence rattled after the Bruins hit back-to-back home runs in the third inning. Briski finished out the inning and the game, ending the night with 9 strikeouts as she pitched six scoreless frames to help Alabama to the victory.

UCLA's Three-Run 3rd Inning Wasn't Enough Cushion

The Bruins slammed back-to-back home runs in the third inning with two outs on an 0-2 count. Alabama, which had all the momentum after Marlie Giles' RBI single in the first inning and two perfect innings from pitcher Jocelyn Briski, had the wind sucked out of its sails and faced a 3-1 deficit.

A pair of scoreless innings from the Tide painted a grim outlook as Alabama had left six runners stranded on base by that point, but Alexis Pupillo continued her red-hot streak, answering the question of who would step up for the Crimson Tide with a 2-run shot to right field.

Alabama Flexes Power Late to Push Tide to Victory

Pupillo wasn't the only Alabama hitter to get in on the home run action. In the bottom of the 6th, Brooke Wells drilled a moon ball to center field, just her second hit since the start of Super Regionals last weekend, with Kristen White and Jena Young on base, giving the Crimson Tide a 3-run lead with three outs left for the Tide to clinch a spot in the winner's bracket in Oklahoma City.

It may be cliché, but the point still stands: big-time players make big-time plays in big-time situations. Alabama's X-X victory over UCLA was the perfect epitome of the saying. Pupillo (20) and Wells (24) both have more than 20 home runs this season for Alabama as the Tide's leading and second-leading home run hitters. Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy has faced criticism in recent years for not finding the offensive firepower that is necessary to win in the Women's College World Series, but the Crimson Tide's offensive explosion on Thursday night showed what we had learned all season long from the Crimson Tide: Not only does Patrick Murphy have his signature pitching this year, but the Tide has offensive power that can rival anyone in the country, including the nation's home-run leaders.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.