Patrick Murphy addresses Larissa Preuitt status, Kayla Beaver vs. UCLA in Game 1 of WCWS

Alabama softball coach Patrick Murphy provided an update on outfielder and No. 2 hitter Larissa Preuitt during Thursday’s Women’s College World Series opening game against UCLA.

Murphy shared that Preuitt was dealing with a little bit of a hamstring injury heading into the game and it bothered her once play got underway.

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“She had a little bit of a hamstring issue before the game and when she got the hit she sprinted 10 feet and it kind of pulled a little bit,” Patrick Murphy told ESPN. “And it’s just not worth trying to go for the game.”

Lauren Johnson replaced Preuitt and went 1-for-2. Unfortunately for the Crimson Tide, the performance came in a loss as UCLA pulled away for a 4-1 win. Johnson played most of the game as she replaced Preuitt in the top of the 1st inning.

Alabama pitcher Kayla Beaver helped keep the Crimson Tide in the game, allowing only one run through 5 innings pitched.

Murphy joined ESPN during the game and shared what he saw from Beaver.

“Well, really the only mistake I thought was hitting the 9 spot in the last inning with one out and one of the best hitters in the country up next. So other than that her velocity’s great,” Murphy said. “I think she’s hitting her spots really well. And she’s really competing out there.”

The one run Beaver allowed through the first five innings came on an RBI single by Jadelyn Allchin in the third. Allchin drove in Janelle Meono, who was hit by a pitch earlier in the frame.

Jordan Woolery belts 3-run home run in bottom sixth to beat Alabama 4-1 in Game 1 of WCWS

As for what ultimately allowed UCLA to pull away, it was a three-run home run by Jordan Woolery in the sixth inning.

The Bruins first baseman blasted a 1-1 pitch over the wall to give UCLA the lead for good.

The Bruins then retired Alabama in order to finish off the win and improve to 1-0 in the WCWS.

Woolery spoke about the home run after the win.

“I just knew it wasn’t only on me. It was everyone with me in my at bat up there,” Woolery said. “We could’ve played all night if we would have had to.

“I think it’s just excitement and not taking the nerves as a bad thing but just taking them as they are and appreciating them and appreciating the moment, too.”