Who: No. 5 seed LSU and No. 6 seed Alabama
When/Where: 8:30 p.m ASA Hall of Fame Stadium | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
TV: ESPN
Radio: 104.5/104.9
Last meeting: The Tigers and the Crimson Tide didn’t meet during the 2015 Southeastern Conference regular season. In their last meeting during 2014 regular season, Alabama swept LSU in a three-game conference series in March 2014. The Tigers struggled through the series against former Alabama ace Jaclyn Traina, who allowed only two earned runs while tallying seven strikeouts in two complete trips in Game 1 and Game 2.
LSU’s last game: LSU’s lineup fell flat against top-seeded Florida’s senior ace Lauren Haeger (31-1) in the Tigers’ 4-0 loss to the defending national champion in the Women’s College World Series winner’s bracket Friday night. Although the Tigers’ freshman pitcher Carley Hoover (18-6) shut out the Gators through four innings, Haeger broke the game open with a two-run homer in the fifth. The Tigers could not answer and allowed the Gators to add a run on a solo homer and another on a throwing error.
Alabama’s last game: Alabama eliminated No. 2 seeded Oregon with a 2-1 win in the WCWS loser’s bracket Saturday afternoon. Freshman ace Alexis Osorio (22-9) led the Tide with a dominant performance in the circle, recording nine strikeouts while allowing only two walks and three hits. Sophomore left fielder Chandler Dare went a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate, driving in Alabama’s runs with a two-RBI single to right field in the bottom of the second.
LSU (51-13) Notes
At the plate: Throughout the 2015 season, senior center fielder A.J. Andrews and sophomore right fielder Bailey Landry have set the table for LSU’s lineup. Andrews set the single-season program record with 46 walks, while Landry leads the Tigers with 86 hits and a .487 on-base percentage.
In the circle: Freshman pitchers Carley Hoover (18-6) and Allie Walljasper (15-5) have led the Tigers in the circle during the postseason. Walljasper and Hoover have combined for nine starts and four complete games during LSU’s run to the WCWS.
Player to Watch: Junior shortstop Bianka Bell
As LSU’s only First Team NFCA All-American, Bell’s leadership on the field and her clutch hitting will be key for the Tigers’ to avoid elimination. She holds the program record for career home runs (44) and homers in a single season (18).
Alabama (48-14) Notes
At the plate: Mariza Runyon brings power to the Tide’s lineup. She leads Alabama with 19 homers, a .776 slugging percentage and 79 RBIs in 2015.
In the circle: Osorio has started the last seven games for the Tide. She leads Alabama’s rotation with 227 strikeouts, .161 opposing batting average and 22 complete games. Sophomore Sydney Littlejohn leads Alabama with a 1.49 ERA with 72 strikeouts and 27 walks.
Player to Watch: Junior outfielder Haylie McCleney
McCleney leads Alabama at the plate with a .444 average, 60 walks and 69 runs. She has been a clutch player for the Tide in the postseason, especially in the Tuscaloosa Super Regional against Oklahoma.
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