28 May, 2017
Entering the game with runners on first and second and one out in the top of the sixth, Osorio got Maddie Houlihan and Partain to ground out into back-to-back fielder's choices to end the inning. "I know some other schools that have played against her have given the take throughout the game and on any count, and they just guessed when she'd throw her change-up - it's that good". But against the likes of Littlejohn and Osorio, the Gophers batted just.130 combined and managed just seven hits - only one going for extra bases. Unfortunately the Gophers could not solve Alabama pitcher Sydney Littlejohn who gave up five hits but no earned runs to pick up her 17th victory the season. She scattered six hits and walked four.
On the other side, Minnesota senior ace Sara Groenewegen was nearly as unhittable, even after throwing in every game this weekend. "It's unfortunate that matchup happened, but it happened". After a long battle at the plate, Osorio forced her counterpart Groenewegen to popup in foul territory to end the half-inning and keep it scoreless. That proved to be the game's only run. She needed 58 pitches in 4 2/3 shutout innings.
After a postponement for weather, the Gophers defeated Louisiana Tech 5-2 in the loser's bracket of the double-elimination tournament to meet Alabama again late Sunday afternoon.
"Everyone's going to be exhausted at the end of the season, but what sets pitchers apart is their mentality, Groenewegen said. I trusted my approach and was ready to get that first RBI".
Osorio (22-7) allowed only two hits and walked five in a complete-game effort. The runner advanced to second on a groundout and, after a popup, a hit-by-pitch put two on base for the Gophers with two out. That created controversy, as there was question whether the final pitch should have been called a strike or a ball, but Allister did not use that as an excuse for her team losing.
"I think to deal with the emotions and to deal with everything that's happened over the last seven games, we asked an terrible lot from them and I couldn't be more proud with how they responded", Allister said.
Playing in their final game at Rhoads Stadium, all three of Alabama's senior starters ensured to leave Tuscaloosa on a positive note.
To get to Gainesville, Alabama's pitching had to shut down one of the nation's most prolific offenses this season, with Minnesota coming into the weekend ranked second nationally averaging 7.4 runs per game and third nationally with a.348 batting average.
