KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee lost to Alabama 3-2 in Game 2 of the NCAA Tournament Super Regional on Saturday inside Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
It was the longest game in NCAA Tournament Super Regional history.
The Crimson Tide struck first like they did in Game 1. With a runner on first and third base with one out, Jenna Johnson grounded out, but it brought a run in. Alabama led 1-0.
UT loaded the bases in the top of the second inning with one out. It initially looked like Iulia Koutsoyanopulos was hit by a pitch to tie the game, but was then ruled a foul ball, which was upheld by review. She would eventually pop out.
Laura Mealer, who hit the go-ahead home run in Game 1 that gave the Lady Vols a lead they wouldn't surrender, singled on the next bat to left field to tie the game at 1-1. However, the Lady Vols wouldn't score any more runs with the bases loaded.
In the top of the fourth inning, Sophia Nugent gave the Lady Vols the lead. She hit a no-doubter home run in left field. The solo shot put UT up 2-1.
Alabama would tie the game on a solo home run of their own. Bailey Dowling also sent one over the left field wall and the score was 2-2.
The Lady Vols had runners on first and third base in the top of the fifth inning with two outs. Zaisa Puni struck out and Tennessee wouldn't capitalize with the runner in scoring position.
The game would eventually go to extra innings as neither team could score another run. SEC Pitcher of the Year Karlyn Pickens came in from the bullpen for UT with the score tied 2-2 earlier and Alabama's best pitcher Kayla Beaver did the same. They both kept each other's batters in check.
Pickens didn't allow a hit in 3.1 innings after Payton Gotshall got the start. Beaver allowed three hits in 3.0 innings but allowed no runs.
UT got runners on first and second base in the top of the eighth inning with two outs. With a runner in scoring position, they could not cash in with a run.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Larissa Preuitt reached on a hit-by pitch. Fans and head coach Karen Weekly didn't think she was hit and protested the call. However, UT couldn't review Kenleigh Cahalanthen hit a single to get runners on first and second base for the Crimson Tide with no outs.
Pickens dealt back-to-back strikeouts and then forced a groundout to get the Lady Vols out of the jam.
In the top of the ninth inning, Kiki Milloy hit a single with one out and then stole second base. Taylor Pannell grounded out in the next at-bat, but Milloy advanced to third base with two outs. McKenna Gibson would fly out to right field to end the inning.
UT got a runner on first and second base with two outs in the top of the 11th inning with two outs. They couldn't bring a run home.
In the bottom of the 12th inning, Riley Valentine singled with no outs but then tried to push for second base. Pannell threw her out Valentine at second base as Mealer put down the tag to keep a runner out of scoring position.
Kristen White got on base for the Crimson Tide and then stole second base after an errant throw from Nugent went into the outfield. White tried to steal third base after that but Nugent threw her out that time as Gibson applied the tag.
Tennessee got runners on first and second base again in the top of the 13th inning. They didn't score. In the bottom of the 13th inning, Alabama got runners on first and second base with two outs. Pickens came up with a big strikeout to end the inning.
Tennessee had the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the 14th inning. Koutsoyanopulos struck out with a full count.
Alabama loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the 14th inning. White drove in a run on the fielder's choice to give Alabama the 3-2 win.
Game 3 will be played on Sunday. The game will be at 4 p.m.
