Dan Fleser: Bama Willing to Do ‘Whatever It Takes’ to Even the Series with Lady Vols
Patrick Murphy captured a long afternoon of softball, which extended into the early evening, with a succinct phrase:
“Gritty not pretty.”
This phrase has become the mantra for the Alabama team, with their coach explaining it means “whatever it takes.”
In this instance, it took 14 innings—the longest game in NCAA Super Regional history in terms of both innings and time (4 hours, 35 minutes)—for Murphy’s Crimson Tide to defeat host Tennessee 3-2. Leadoff hitter Kristen White, who had been a constant threat to the Lady Vols all weekend, hit a bases-loaded chopper, and freshman Lauren Johnson, who had reached base on a leadoff pinch-hit single, beat UT shortstop Laura Mealer’s throw home to score the winning run.
