Alabama is one win from the National Championship series after Jocelyn Briski shut down Nebraska 5-1 on Saturday evening at Devon Park in Oklahoma City. The Crimson Tide moved into the Women's College World Series semifinals for the eighth time in program history and will play again Monday night.
That is why Briski is the name being searched now. She improved to 25-3 by throwing a complete game, allowing one hit, six strikeouts and no walks against a Nebraska team that entered 52-7. Alabama, 56-7, made the result feel even sharper because the Huskers never found a way to put real pressure on her.
The game turned fast in the bottom of the first when Marlie Giles launched a three-run home run, her third straight Women’s College World Series game with a homer. Jena Young added a 2-for-2 night from the leadoff spot with an RBI single, and Alabama's 100th home run of the season came in a year when the program has only reached triple digits once before. Giles called the moment a blessing, saying she had no explanation beyond faith after delivering a blast on the sport's biggest stage.
Briski said she wanted to work efficiently, throw first-pitch strikes and use her drop ball more, and she did exactly that. She also kept Nebraska from building any momentum, even after the Huskers answered with a solo homer. Alabama coach praised Briski's one-hitter and Giles' big swing, saying both players fit the program's standard of making legends in big moments.
The bracket leaves Alabama waiting on either Texas Tech or UCLA, who will decide Monday's opponent. The Tide needs only one win on Monday, June 1 at 6 p.m. CT on to reach the National Championship series, while whoever faces Alabama must beat the Tide twice to stay alive. After holding one of the tournament's hottest teams to one hit, Alabama has earned the right to go in as the team everyone else is chasing.
