Look: Alabama's Kali Heivilin makes run-saving catch vs. Tennessee in Knoxville Super Regional
Alabama softball's season is on the line in Game 2 of the Knoxville Super Regional, and the Crimson Tide's defense has kept Patrick Murphy's squad in the game thus far.
And Murphy has second baseman Kali Heivilin, in part, to thank for it.
In the top of the second inning working with a 1-0 lead, Crimson Tide starter Jocelyn Briski found herself in some trouble as the Lady Vols loaded the bases. After Tennessee unsuccessfully challenged a foul ball ruling that would have put a run on the board for the Vols, Heivilin got Briski out of more trouble by chasing some ground down on the diamond to make an impressive inning-ending catch on the right foul line.
REQUIRED READING: Alabama softball live score updates vs. Tennessee in Game 2 of NCAA super regionals
Look: Kali Heivilin game-saving catch in Knoxville Super Regional
Heivilin's catch was of monumental importance for the Crimson Tide, as it limited the Lady Vols to just one run in the inning, coming on an RBI single from Laura Mealer.
Kali Heivilin went ALL OUT for that one to end the half-inning!😯@kheivilin03
📺ESPN | https://t.co/225G2mLwi0#Team28 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/cT9nV5V1xv— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) May 25, 2024
Tennessee softball challenge, explained
Each pitch matters in the postseason, especially when a trip to Oklahoma City for the Women's College World Series is on the line. Alabama and Tennessee are proving just that in Game 2 of the super regionals.
Nursing a 1-0 lead over the Lady Vols with the bases loaded in the top of the second, Briski appeared to have hit Lady Vols first baseman Giulia Koutsoyanopulos in her hand to walk a runner in. However, the home plate umpire determined the ball hit the knob of Koutsoyanopulos' bat, causing Lady Vols coach Karen Weekly to use one of her two challenges.
After review, the call was upheld. Koutsoyanopulos would then pop up to third for the second out.
After review, the call on the field is upheld. So it's a foul ball, not hit by pitch. The replay was really tough to see anything conclusive to overturn that https://t.co/P8Tx1KILWy
— Cora Hall (@corahalll) May 25, 2024
Mealer's RBI single put a Tennessee run on the board, though the upheld call and Heivilin's diving catch helped Alabama avoid disaster in the second. The Lady Vols took a 2-1 lead after a solo home run from Sophia Nugent in the top of the fourth, which was then matched by Alabama's Bailey Dowling in the bottom of the inning to bring the game to 2-2.
Alabama dropped Game 1 of the Knoxville Super Regional to the Lady Vols 3-2 on Friday. If the Crimson Tide can come out with the win on Saturday, a winner-takes-all Game 3 will be held on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Look: Alabama's Kali Heivilin makes run-saving catch vs. Tennessee
