The boys and girls of summer ended the season on the highest of notes
Rejoice, for this is the day that we Gump.
Throw this mood music on in the background…
Now, let’s dive in.
What a simply awesome Saturday in Tuscaloosa.
Two national player of the year candidates faced off in the circle on Saturday afternoon, with a rightly confident Belmont Bruins squad ready to go to battle for Maya Johnson, perhaps the best pitcher in the biz.
And we say perhaps only, because despite being hailed as the best in the sport, Tide ace Jocelyn Briski had something to say about that, as she has all year.
The game between these defensive wizards was not expected to see many offensive fireworks, and Bama/Belmont did not disappoint there. In fact, Alabama scattered just five hits on the day, and did all of its damage early with solid plate appearances looking to take what Johnson showed, and with very aggressive hit-and-run ball.
The real fireworks were in the field for both teams and on the circle.
In Briski’s complete game masterpiece, she tossed 7 strikeouts, had just 1 walk and 1 hit allowed, and emphatically shutdown the Bears — she was actually perfect through five, and Bama fielding helped as well.
Jena Young had a web gem to keep the Bruins off the scoreboard on a gapper that for sure looked like a baseknock.
Johnson threw well for Belmont (7 K, 2 walks, 5 H, 3 ER), and she did settle in after being touched up for a trio in the first. But even that limited damage is a tad much to overcome when you’re facing someone of Alabama’s calibre.
And after this weekend, I’m not even sure that Johnson is the country’s best pitcher. That honor may actually belong to Bama’s Briski.
And that was not even the most impressive feat on Saturday…
The mad lads did it. Presumed dead in the water after a mediocre April, May roared in like a lion for the Crimson Tide who will somehow, someway, finish 4th in an SEC with 11 ranked clubs.
To secure the double-bye, the Tide had to have a win in the season finale vs. Ole Miss.
As much as we’d like to say there was high drama, there simply was not. Bama ace Myles Upchurch tossed seven innings of 4-hit, 2-run ball, and the Tide nickeled and dimed its way to a 6–2 lead before long relief came in.
That has been a coin toss this year, but Good Bullpen showed up for 2.1 innings and finished collaborating on the 6–2 final.
We will have much more to say on this most improbable of ball clubs later next week. #VaughnBall
Bedlam!
Oh, my. Belmont let ‘Bama beat them twice, as USC Upstate posted the most surprising score of the Region and perhaps the country.
Wow. Well done to the Spartans, who now face Bama with a chance to advance to the Super Regionals. Presumably it will not take the Tide two attempts to advance.
Queen Shit 👑
Ho, hum. It’s just Doris shattering another record out here…
She is going to leave as the most celebrated individual athlete in the school’s history, supplanting even Lillie Leatherwood (10-time All-American, 3-time NCAA champion, and Alabama’s first female Olympic gold medalist) or Kim Jacob (gymnastics).
It’s hard to put her domination into perspective, but try this on for size, from her very first race as: “
“She finished first in the 5K with a time of 16:12.10, a full 30 seconds ahead of second place. In fact, the gap between second place and her teammate McKenzie Hogue, who finished 17th, was closer than the gap between first and second.”
LOL. Her coach, the rapidly rising legend of Dan Waters, said this after her explosive freshman starts:
To be honest, she’s still raw talent,”. “What she’s doing right now, she’s just scraping the surface of what she’s capable of. I don’t think she’s anywhere near her full potential.”
Terrifyingly accurate as it happens. And though the ultimate goal is to race (and win) Olympic gold for Kenya, it can come after after leading Alabama to national glory.
Doris is Queen Gump first and foremost.
“I want to win. I want to be a champion here,” Lemngole said when asked about her goals at Alabama.”
And, finally, your moment of levity.
Sometimes it’s the little things that make the heart sing…
Have a great day, and take care.
