DePaul Eliminated In Extra Innings By Alabama at WCWS

Megan Huitink

In a game that was continued from Saturday because of inclement weather, the eighth-ranked Alabama softball team (63-14) got a clutch hit from Capper Reed in the bottom of the 12th inning scoring Michelle Menningmann for a 2-1 victory over the 23rd-ranked DePaul Blue Demons (45-21) at the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Staci Ramsey led off the inning with a single over the head of DePaul third baseman Jenny Doezie. Menningmann came on to pinch run for Ramsey and advanced to second on a ground out to first by Dani Woods. Reed then singled back up the middle scoring Menningmann and ending the game.

Locked in a pitchers dual, Alabama finally drew first blood in the bottom of the fourth inning when Woods singled up the middle scoring Dominique Accetturo for a 1-0 lead. Stephanie VanBrakle led off the inning with a single up the middle and was pinch run for by Deasy Phillips.

Accetturo attempted to sacrifice Phillips to second, but DePaul pitcher Megan Huitink’s throw to second went into centerfield. Phillips, however, was thrown out trying to advance to third while Accetturo advanced to second.

DePaul rallied in top of the sixth inning tying the game at 1-1 when Jessica Evans scored on VanBrakle’s second wild pitch of the inning after she had broken up VanBrakle’s no-hitter earlier in the inning.

Play was suspended at 5:27 p.m., local time, on Saturday with the score tied 1-1 with Alabama at bat in the bottom of the eighth inning.

When play resumed Sunday, the Blue Demons threatened in the top of the ninth leading off the inning with consecutive singles from Saskia Roberson and Linda Secka. Both advanced on a passed ball putting runners on second and third with no outs, but VanBrakle proceeded to strike out the next three batters to get out of the inning.

VanBrakle recorded 17 strikeouts, a school record for strikeouts in a WCWS game. Huitink tossed all 11.2 innings for the Blue Demons allowing just two runs, one earned, on nine hits.