Rewinding Alabama's 5-0 win in over LIU in NCAA tournament opener

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Rhoads Stadium is no stranger to the NCAA regional, hosting the opening round for the 18th straight tournament. And in the 2023 return, Alabama blanked LIU, winning 5-0 behind junior Jaala Torrence’s shutout.

Crimson Tide ace Montana Fouts was not expected to play against the Sharks. She was spotted pregame with a brace on her left knee as she recovers from a hyperextended leg suffered on May 11.

Here’s a recap of how it went down on ESPNU and ESPN+.

More Tuscaloosa Regional: Breaking down Alabama softball’s schedule and opponents

FINAL: Alabama 5, LIU 0

6TH INNING

Top: Alabama’s defense kept delivering behind Torrence. Preuitt made her second diving catch of the night in right field and Prange fielded a ground ball squibbed to third with her non-glove hand. LIU was hitless in its last 12 at-bats before Alexia Castro doubled and Lyman hit a single to left field.

But with two on and two outs, Blanchard grounded out to second to end LIU’s best scoring chance in six innings. Alabama 5, LIU 0

5TH INNING

Top: Three more outs for Torrence, who’s two outs away from matching her longest appearance of the season (March 7 against Western Michigan).

Bottom: Okada made a nice catch against the wall in left field and robbed Dowling of her second hit. Alabama reviewed the play but the call on the field was confirmed. Shipman didn’t care though, as she lofted Alabama’s second home run of the night to deep left. Alabama 5, LIU 0

4TH INNING

Top: Left fielders are getting a lot of action tonight as Lyman lined out to Stephens. The sophomore outfielder originally took a step toward the dirt but readjusted to catch the first out. Torrence then tallied her third and fourth strikeouts, both looking. Alabama 3, LIU 0

Bottom: Heivlin just missed a second home run, this time driving a pitch to straightway center field and forcing Blanchard to make a lunging grab at the wall. O’Donnell has given LIU a window for a comeback if the Sharks can solve Torrence. Alabama 3, LIU 0

3RD INNING

Top: Torrence retires the side in order in the third, including a strikeout of Alyssa Okada. She’s up to 41 pitches so far. Alabama 3, LIU 0

Bottom: O’Donnell recorded her first strikeout by getting Prange to go down looking. Shipman extended the inning with a line drive single past a diving shortstop, but Broadfoot grounded out. Alabama 3, LIU 0

2ND INNING

Top: Torrence recorded her first strikeout as Padilla struck out looking in another full count. She then allowed her first hit on a line drive double that made it just past the outstretched glove of left fielder Jordan Stephens. LIU nearly tied it on its next swing, but Preuitt dove for a great catch in right field. She then doubled off Maya Avila, who left for home as the batter made contact. Alabama 1, LIU 0

Bottom: The Tide offense didn’t let up after Emma Broadfoot started the frame with a leadoff walk. Kali Heivilin belted a two-run home run over the fence in left field to empty the Alabama dugout. The swing knocked Cowans, an All-NEC second-team pitcher, out of the game. A single and stolen base by Kristen White nearly gave Alabama another run, but new pitcher Alyssa O’Donnell got Preuitt to ground out. Alabama 3, LIU 0

1ST INNING

Top: Jaala Torrence drew a pair of pop-ups from LIU’s first two hitters, Camryn Lyman and Kristen Blanchard. After Alyssa Polemni worked a full court, Torrence got her to ground out to Kenleigh Cahalan for a clean, 14-pitch start. Alabama 0, LIU 0

Bottom: Alabama will face sophomore Lindsey Cowans, who leads LIU in innings pitched (173.2). Cahalan grounded a pitch into the dirt, then Larissa Preuitt popped out to the catcher in foul territory. The first run of the game came via two doubles to left field by Ashley Prange and Bailey Dowling. Alabama nearly added to its lead but a diving stop by Gabby Padilla ended the threat. Alabama 1, LIU 0