Patrick Murphy positive about Alabama's offense despite loss

Alabama had a rough first day at the Women’s College World Series, dropping their first game to Tennessee. Head coach Patrick Murphy finds his team on the brink of elimination once again, with a date with Stanford scheduled for Friday. Something will have to chance to avoid a quick fight home to Tuscaloosa from Oklahoma City.

If there was one positive to take out of the loss, it’s how well the Alabama offense performed. To this point of the postseason, pitching has been the storyline for Murphy. Between Montana Fouts, her injury/return, and Jaala Torrence stepping up — the Crimson Tide have relied on their fantastic performances.

But against Tennessee’s lethal pitching staff, they were able to put up five runs. For context, the last non-Alabama team to do that against the Lady Vols was Arkansas on April 30. Murphy says not striking out was key.

“One of the best stats was we only had two (strikeouts),” Murphy said. “One by a starter, one by a pinch hitter. When we faced Ms. (Ashley) Rodgers up there (Knoxville), I think we had eight or nine. Only one against her this time. So, I thought that was a big win. We were putting the ball in play.”

Rodgers pitched four innings, allowing three hits and three walks. Two Alabama runs crossed the plate under her watch and as Murphy mentioned, there was just one strikeout.

There was a desire for more from the Alabama head coach from a particular moment. Rodgers was on the ropes early in the first inning but the Crimson Tide was not able to take advantage. First and third with nobody out and no runs were scored. Two popouts and a flyout got Rodgers out of the inning.

“It comes back to that first inning,” Murphy said. “Anything there to score a run and I think she might get a little tight, they might get a little tight, and it’s a different story.”

Alabama has struggled offensively during the NCAA Tournament, scoring five runs for just the second time. In their Super Regional games, two and three runs were enough to get wins against Northwestern. As mentioned, pitching has been the real key to success.

Murphy believes there was a missed opportunity on Thursday, especially when going up against one of the best pitchers in the country. Instead of taking advantage and playing in the 1-0 game, Alabama will fight for their lives on Friday.