NCAA REGIONAL: Alabama softball tops Minnesota, advances to super regional

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — After waiting nine innings to score a run Saturday, the Alabama softball team needed just three batters to jump on top of Minnesota on Sunday. Once again, the lone digit was enough to see the Crimson Tide through, as Alabama beat the Minnesota 1-0 to advance to its 13th straight super regional.

Alabama (45-16), the No. 16 seed nationally, will travel to No. 1 Florida (53-7) in the Gainesville Super Regional this week.

The Tide scored its lone run on a RBI double from Marisa Runyon, who laced a ball to left center allowing Chandler Dare to score from first base.

"That's always the goal, to score first," Runyon said. "... We just really wanted to attack first. I mean I wanted to be up there, I wanted the bat in my hands. I trusted my approach and was ready to get that first RBI."

While the senior duo played their part at the plate and on the bases, fellow senior Sydney Littlejohn held everything down in the circle. Littlejohn (17-8) gave up five hits while striking out four batters over 5 1/3 innings before handing the ball over to Alexis Osorio for a five-out save.

"I think Lex and I are great counterparts and we work very well together as well as Madi (Moore)," Littlejohn said. "We really complete each other, the three of us together. Whenever you have the three of us and we're on, we're like a three-headed monster."

For the second straight afternoon, Minnesota (56-5) starter Sara Groenegen suffered a tough-luck loss. The senior gave up one earned run on five hits with seven strikeouts over seven innings.

Groenewegen (31-4) was on the losing end of Alabama’s 1-0 victory over the Golden Gophers on Saturday, throwing 125 pitches before walking Tide catcher Reagan Dykes with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to end the game.

Earlier in the day Sunday, Groenewegen earned the win throwing 58 pitches in Minnesota’s 5-2 victory over Louisiana Tech to advance to the game against Alabama.

Alabama’s victory was its 34th straight regional win, a streak that dates back to 2007.

Playing in their final game at Rhoads Stadium, all three of Alabama’s senior starters ensured to leave Tuscaloosa on a positive note.

Dare and Runyon both went 1-for 3 respectively at the plate. While it wasn’t much, it was all the production the Tide would need at the plate.

Littlejohn was untouchable for most of the game and did well to get out a jam in the top of fourth. After allowing back-to-back two-out singles, the 6-foot right-hander found herself in trouble with runners at second and third and two outs. However, Littlejohn kept her composure, getting MaKenna Partain to ground out to first to end the inning.

"We're going to soak in this win," Runyon said. "All three of us have been blessed to be a part of this program for four years, and I know for a fact that we are leaving as better people than when we came in."

One day removed from an 180-pitch complete game performance, Osorio didn’t miss a beat in her relief appearance. Entering the game with runners on first and second and one out in the top of the sixth, Osorio got Maddie Houlihan and Partain to ground out into back-to-back fielder’s choices to end the inning.

Once again Alabama was forced to sweat out a nail-biter against Minnesota. Osorio retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh, striking out Dani Wagner to end the game.

Things won't get any easier for Alabama, who will get the nation's top team next week in Gainsville, Fla. The Gators won their regional by beating Oklahoma State 5-0 in the if-necessary game on Sunday. Oklahoma State had previously defeated Florida 1-0 earlier in the afternoon to force the final matchup.

The super regional will be the first meeting between Alabama and Florida this season. The Gators are led by starter Kelly Barnhill (23-2) who finished the regular season leading the nation with a .33 earned run average. The sophomore was even more impressive during SEC play where she finished 12-0 with a 0.09 ERA.

"We're just going to keep on seeing great pitching the whole way through," Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said.

If the Tide can take two out of three in Gainesville, Fla., it will punch a ticket to its fourth straight Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.