Alabama softball falls in Game 1 of NCAA super regionals after Tennessee fifth inning rally

Despite an early lead, Alabama softball fell to No. 3 seed Tennessee 3-2 on Friday in Game 1 of the NCAA super regionals at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

The No. 14 seed Crimson Tide jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Tennessee took the 3-2 advantage behind three unearned runs in the fifth inning. Alabama outhit Tennessee, finishing the game with six hits compared to Tennessee's three.

The winner of the Knoxville Super Regional will punch a ticket to the Women's College World Series. Alabama is looking to make its second-straight trip to the Women's College World Series and 15th in program history.

Here are observations and takeaways from Alabama softball (36-18) vs. Tennessee (44-10).

Alabama softball early runs vs. Tennessee

Despite being up against a Tennessee pitching staff that has the lowest ERA in the country (1.40) and one that did not give up a run across its three games played in the Knoxville Regional, Alabama jumped out to an early lead in Knoxville on Friday.

Kristen White got things started in the top of the first with a lead-off single, advancing to third off of a fielding error. White crossed home plate follow a wild pitch, giving Alabama the 1-0 lead. The Crimson Tide added another run and went up 2-0 in the top of the second inning behind a Riley Valentine single to score Marlie Giles, who reached base after being hit by a pitch.

Tennessee's Payton Gottshall entered the game in the circle for Karlyn Pickens in the sixth inning, not allowing another Alabama run to score.

Tennessee's fifth inning rally

Kayla Beaver got the start in the circle for Alabama. Beaver gave up a hit in the first inning, a McKenna Gibson single, before retiring the next 10 batters through the fourth.

That changed in the bottom of the fifth inning when Tennessee got on the board behind three unearned runs. Rylie West got the Tennessee rally started, drawing a lead-off walk then stealing second. Gabby Leach reached first base on a Kali Heivilin error, which allowed West to score. Laura Meeler then hit a two-run home run to center field to give the Lady Vols the 3-2 lead.

Jocelyn Briski entered in relief for Alabama in the bottom of the fifth inning, finishing the game going 1⅓ innings with one hit allowed and one strikeout. Kayla Beaver finished the game giving up three runs on two hits while striking out two across 4⅔ innings pitched.

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Missed Alabama opportunities

After Tennessee took its lead in the fifth inning, Alabama had its fair share of opportunities to put more runs on the board, but it was unable to capitalize.

Marlie Giles started the sixth inning off for Alabama with a leadoff single followed by a Bailey Dowling double, which Giles was called out at third base. Lauren Esman entered as a pinch hitter, hitting a single to center field to move Dowling to third, but a Riley Valentine strikeout and an Emma Broadfoot foul out ended the Crimson Tide threat.

Alabama had the top of its order due up in the seventh inning, but White, Preuitt and Cahalan went down in order as Tennessee held on to take Game 1.

In total, Alabama stranded seven runners on base, six of those being in scoring position.

What’s next?

Game 2 between Alabama and Tennessee is set for 3 p.m. on Saturday, with a Game 3 set for Sunday, if necessary. The first team to win two games wins the series and punches its spot in the Women’s College World Series.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama softball drops Game 1 of NCAA super regionals to Tennessee