Simmons leads LSU past Alabama in elimination game

Senior third baseman Bianka Bell’s early two-run shot – and another homer later in the game – propelled the Tigers to a 4-1 victory over SEC rival Georgia on Sunday afternoon, eliminating the Bulldogs and putting LSU just two wins from a spot in the best-of-three WCWS championship series.

LSU jumped out to a fast start in the first inning Sunday with Bell’s two-run blast. A year ago, LSU hosted Oklahoma for two games during the regular season.

Alabama coach Patrick Murphy said the Crimson Tide missed some opportunities. “Alabama is a class program, especially with their four seniors, and we have so much respect for them and how they play the game”.

“I think Bianka is a great player, just straight-up a really, really good player, great hitter, and she’s brought a lot of heart for her team”, Harris-Champer said. LSU’s Allie Walljasper wasn’t quite that dominant but limited the Sooners to five hits and two earned runs in a 10-2 LSU win. Bailey Landry and Sahvanna Jaquish both had two hits apiece for the Tigers.

“I was just looking more down in the zone because she (Wilkinson) struck me out on the at-bat before on three inside low pitches”, Bell said. The Tigers added a second run on a RBI ground out by Kellsi Kloss in the third.

Carley Hoover pitched a complete game for LSU (52-17).

Littlejohn (23-7) took the loss for Alabama, giving up four earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out a batter over 4⅔ innings. Tiffany Howard reached on a fielder’s choice, and an error kept both runners on.

Lafaele finished with two hits and two RBI, while Haylie McCleney drove a pair of doubles for Alabama. She crushed another late to seal a win. Following a hit-by-pitch and a fielding error, Chandler Dare lined an RBI single over the leaping second baseman’s glove to make it a 6-3 game as LSU turned to its bullpen with Walljasper entering to pitch.

Auburn’s Victoria Draper led off with a single. Akiya Thymes came on to pinch run for her at first and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt.

Alabama got one run on base in the seventh, but a double play closed the door on the Tide’s season. It was her second home run in two world series games. LSU second baseman Constance Quinn fielded the ball, tagged out pinch runner Mari Cranek heading to second and threw out Runyon at first to end the inning. A Simmons single made it 3-1. Bell then stepped to the dish and crushed a ball over the fence in center field to give LSU a 2-0 lead.

Florida State’s Jessica Warren hit a solo homer in the third to cut UCLA’s lead to 4-3. An infield single from Andrea Hawkins then loaded the bases for Sydney Booker.