Alabama rides late homers to comeback win over UCLA in Women’s College World Series opener
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Alabama used a late rally in its Women’s College World Series opener against UCLA, using an Alexis Pupillo two-run home run in the fifth and a go-ahead three-run homer from Brooke Wells to defeat the Bruins 6-3 in Oklahoma City on Thursday night.
After back-to-back UCLA homers in the top of the third — a two-run shot from Rylee Slimp and a solo bomb from Megan Grant — the Crimson Tide trailed 3-1. It stayed that way until the bottom of the fifth. Jena Young walked and Wells lined out before Pupillo stepped up and stroked one over the right field wall to tie it at 3-3.
RELATED: Looking to bet on the Women’s College World Series? Use our BetMGM bonus code!
In the sixth, Alabama took the lead. With runners on first and second, Wells delivered the big blow, a three-run homer to right center to make it 6-3.
Wells finished the night 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Young was 3-for-3. It made a winner out of Jocelyn Briski, who went the distance in the circle while allowing three runs on six hits while striking out nine and walking none.
Alabama returns to action on Saturday to face the winner of Thursday night’s Nebraska-Arkansas game. The loser of that one faces UCLA in an elimination game on Friday night.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
