Extra innings: Jocelyn Alo's record setting weekend, Arkansas' perfection, a Texas milestone and more
Each week our college softball insider Maren Angus shares the biggest stories in and around the SEC.
Jocelyn Alo breaks NCAA HR record
On a 2-1 count in the 6th inning against Hawaii, in Hawaii, Jocelyn Alo became the NCAA’s newest career home run leader when she launched No. 96 deep to right-centerfield. Alo, a native Hawaiian, was playing at home for the first time since high school.
The Oklahoma Sooner senior broke the record once held by former Sooner standout Lauren Chamberlain.
.@78jocelyn_alo puts the ???? in Boomer Sooner ?#NCAASoftball x ? @OU_Softball pic.twitter.com/tV53smXHqT
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) March 13, 2022
Annie Willis shuts down No. 3 Florida
Mississippi State graduate pitcher Annie Willis pitched a 9-strikeout, complete-game gem on Sunday. Willis shut out Florida and gave MSU its first win over a top-5 team since 2019. It was also the first shutout against Florida since 2005.
Willis collected her 10th career shutout and was named SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week.
https://twitter.com/HailStateSB/status/1503108366410739714
Raelin Chaffin slams the door on Alabama
LSU freshman pitcher Raelin Chaffin was named SEC Freshman of the Week after a superb outing against No. 4 Alabama. She was 1 batter shy of a perfect game, retiring 21 of 22 and giving up 1 hit.
Chaffin gave up a home run in the second inning and then sat down 17 consecutive Crimson Tide batters.
Chaffin is throwin' some heat on this chilly night ?
? https://t.co/PWfQI8i4IU pic.twitter.com/SumW9LjHsL
— LSU Softball (@LSUsoftball) March 13, 2022
Woo Pig
Senior pitcher Mary Haff pitched the first solo, 7-inning perfect game in Arkansas program history on Friday against Maryland. She struck out 14 and is now tied for the program lead in double-digit strikeout appearances. Haff also pitched 2 innings against Liberty. She has retired 27 consecutive batters.
Sophomore Hannah Gammill was 6-for-6 with 3 home runs, 8 runs, 7 RBIs and a double in 3 games. Through 21 games this season, she ranks first in the nation in slugging percentage (1.180).
Two of the reasons for an undefeated trip to VA @hannahgammill X @HaffMary pic.twitter.com/0MJj6MtM8x
— Arkansas Razorback Softball (@RazorbackSB) March 15, 2022
Lauren Johnson did what?
Kentucky outfielder Lauren Johnson made an incredible over-the-wall catch to end the top of the 6th against Buffalo in Lexington over the weekend. She has a .971 fielding percentage this season with 33 putouts in 34 chances.
She is pretty good at the plate, too. Johnson is second on the team with a .470 batting average. She has 35 hits, 25 runs scored, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs and 17 RBIs.
????????
LAUREN JOHNSON
You did WHAT?!#SCTop10 x @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/OyfVEjzN8O
— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) March 11, 2022
Jenna Johnson shines for the Tide
Have yourself a weekend, Jenna Johnson. The outfielder was 5-for-8 over the weekend with 4 RBIs, 2 homers and 2 runs scored. Not only was she a stud at the dish, but she made a play in the outfield that is top play noteworthy.
The scoop, the shoot and the tag by catcher Ally Shipman. It was a work of art. Hang it in the Louvre.
The runner is cut down at home to end the inning and keep Alabama ahead 2-1!
?:https://t.co/IRU1Ec0DwJ#Team26 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/FRE5PfvDCA
— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) March 13, 2022
Kendra Falby races home to clinch series for Florida
Blink and you’ll miss Kendra Falby as she hit an inside-the-park home run against Mississippi State in the bottom of the 6th that proved to be the game-winner on Monday night. Falby ripped a 2-strike pitch off the centerfield wall that ricocheted enough to be waved home. The Gators went on to win the game 3-0.
B6 | @kfalby7 ⚡️ with the inside-the-park HOME RUN gives the Gators the lead! #GoGators
Gators 1 | Bulldogs 0
? @SECNetwork
?? https://t.co/uwrwqma3c8 pic.twitter.com/R3rgODUICI— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) March 15, 2022
Courtney Coppersmith is perfection
UMBC earns a nod this week and rightfully so. Courtney Coppersmith pitched the 2nd perfect game of her career, striking out 20 batters in a 1-0 win over Brown. It was her first complete game of the season. Before her 20-strikeout performance, she pitched 2 innings against Hofstra and struck out 6. I don’t know about you, but 26 strikeouts in 9 innings isn’t too bad, is it?
Her head coach Chris Kuhlmeyer happens to be an LSU grad, so there’s the SEC connection.
TWENTY STRIKEOUT PERFECT GAME FOR COPPERSMITH! UMBC WINS 1-0 pic.twitter.com/ZUtyIm2E85
— UMBC Softball (@UMBCsoftball) March 11, 2022
Georgina Corrick is on fire
Hitters beware, USF ace Georgina Corrick is nearly untouchable. She finished 4-0 over the weekend, tossed 23 2/3 innings and only allowed 3 hits and 2 walks. She also struck out 42 and lowered her ERA to 0.06! So far this season, she is 17-0 with a save and 169 strikeouts in 111 innings pitched.
The only run she has given up was against Oklahoma State on Feb. 19. Oh, she has only walked 7. So, I will let you figure out the strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Georgina Corrick update: ERA down to 0.06 pic.twitter.com/OqZiaeFFwB
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) March 14, 2022
Western Kentucky downs then-No. 24 Charlotte
Conference USA is alive and well this season. Charlotte came into the weekend ranked No. 24 and Western Kentucky handed them a series loss. The Hilltoppers clinched a series win against a ranked opponent for the first time since 2013.
Brylee Hage was named Conference-USA Player of the Week after going 5-for-12 with a home run, two doubles and 5 RBIs. She became the third player from WKU to earn the honors this season.
A Texas milestone
Janae Jefferson became the first Longhorn to reach 300 career hits in program history when she ripped a bases-loaded double Wednesday night against Louisiana.
It was only a matter of time until she reached the magic number. Jefferson became the Longhorns’ career hits leader last year.
Hit No. 300@JanaeJefferson4 | #HookEm pic.twitter.com/fpN9OtO8Fe
— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) March 17, 2022
https://twitter.com/TexasSoftball/status/1504238980145065990
Her next challenge? Becoming the Big 12’s career hits leader. She’s closing in on that, too.
Iowa State’s Sami Williams holds the mark with 332 career hits.