USC Upstate softball takes Alabama to wire in 1-0 loss at NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. − Jocelyn Briski allowed just one hit and Alabama softball avoided disaster for a 1-0 victory over USC Upstate in the Tuscaloosa Regional on Friday at Rhoads Stadium in the NCAA Tournament.

The Crimson Tide now just needs one more win Saturday to advance to the regional championship game on Sunday.

Here are observations and takeaways from Alabama (34-17) defeating USC Upstate (30-22).

Alabama softball's Jocelyn Briski pitches a gem

Briski got the start in the circle for the Crimson Tide, retiring the first 14 batters she faced before allowing a hit in the seventh inning.

Kayla Beaver came into close the game out for Briski in the seventh inning. Briski finished going 6⅓ innings, striking out three batters, walking one and allowing just one hit. It is the least amount of runs the freshman has given up in her 10 games started for the Crimson Tide.

Beaver got the two final outs for Alabama. She allowed one hit, but a double play ended the game as Alabama held on to win.

Jenna Johnson gets key hit and steal

After Kali Heivilin and Kendal Clark both grounded out in the bottom of the sixth, Jenna Johnson hit a two-out single up the middle. With Bailey Dowling up to bat, Johnson stole second to get into scoring position. Dowling singled through the left side to score Johnson and give Alabama its first, and only, run of the day.

Johnson and Dowling both finished 2-for-3 from the plate with Dowling collecting the lone RBI of the day.

Runners left on base

Alabama had left five runners stranded before it was able to get on the board in the sixth inning.

In the second inning, Dowling and Emma Broadfoot each singled up the middle, but an Abby Duchscherer flyout ended the inning and the Crimson Tide threat.

Kristen White was left stranded in the third inning after hitting a single and stealing second base, while Riley Valentine and Kenleigh Cahalan were both left stranded in the fifth after Valentine reached with a single up the middle and Cahalan was hit by a pitch.

What's next?

Alabama advances to play Southeastern Louisiana Saturday at 3 p.m., with the winner advancing to the regional final on Sunday. USC Upstate will face Clemson in the losers bracket at 5:30 p.m. in an elimination game. Whoever wins that game will have to face the loser between Southeastern Louisiana and Alabama on Saturday at 7 p.m. for a spot in the regional final on Sunday.

The winner of the Tuscaloosa Regional advances to the super regional round, where it will face the winner of the Knoxville Regional, headlined by No. 3 Tennessee, Miami (Ohio), Dayton and Virginia.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: USC Upstate softball takes Alabama to wire in 1-0 loss at NCAA Tournament