In yet another showdown of pitchers, a few wild throws put Alabama in control.
The Crimson Tide bunted its way to within a victory of the Women's College World Series with a 3-0 win over No. 1 Florida in the NCAA softball super regional. All three runs came in the fifth inning when consecutive bunts led to throwing errors by Florida ace Kelly Barnhill.
Alabama (46-16) can earn a third straight trip to Oklahoma City in Game 2 at 6 p.m. CT Friday. A Florida win would force a winner-take-all third game Saturday. The Gators are now 53-8.
The rally started with Bailey Hemphill's lead-off walk. With runners on first and second, Chandler Dare's sacrifice bunt was thrown into right field by Barnhill, bringing in both pinch runner Mari Crakek and Reagan Dykes.
Sydney Booker then attempted another sac bunt that Barnhill again threw to the same place, bringing Dare to the plate for a stunning 3-0 lead without a single hit in the inning.
This was the same Florida pitcher who was dominating Alabama's lineup early. After Demi turner led off the game with a slap single, Barnhill struck out the next nine batters.
Alabama starter Alexis Osorio worked in and out of trouble to get the win. Florida's best shot came in the bottom of the fifth when two hit batters led to a bases-loaded jam. After a long battle with Janell Wheaton, Osorio got the catcher to fly out to left.
The Gators were 0-for-11 with runners on base, 0-for-4 when they were in scoring position.
Osorio (23-7) has yet to allow a run in the postseason. She gave up three hits, walked three and hit four batters while striking out eight in the win.
Alabama managed three hits after sitting on just Turner's lead-off hit nearly all game. The second hit came in the top of the seventh when Sydney Booker singled to right.
The question now is how much rest will Osorio need? She threw 120 pitches in the Game 1 win, likely meaning Sydney Littlejohn will get the start Friday with Osorio being available again for Saturday's Game 3, if necessary.