TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A rally in the top of the seventh inning brought the tying run to the plate for the Samford University softball team but Alexis Osorio pitched her way out of the jam to secure the 3-0 victory for No.6 University of Alabama on the opening day of play at the Tuscaloosa Regional on Friday, May 20.

The Bulldogs (40-19) opened up the final inning of play and threatened immediately as sophomore Shelby Maze put pressure on the Crimson Tide (47-12) forcing a bobbled catch at first base to lead off the inning. Senior Callie Brister followed up Maze with a single driven to left center field. Osorio however bounced back to force a pop up and a pair of strikeouts to end the game.

"It was a great game. We hate that we weren't able to break through. You've got to tip your hat to Alexis Osorio and Alabama. She spins the ball really well." Head Coach Mandy Burford said. "A couple of those seniors out there, Kallie Case and Haylie McCleney, made plays when they needed to. I thought it was a great game. I couldn't be more proud of my bunch."

The Bulldogs relied on outstanding defensive play throughout the game. In the bottom of the second as Hanson gave up a lead-off walk to designated player Caroline Hardy. Demi Turner was called to pinch run with lefty Andrea Hawkins at the plate.

Hawkins ripped a shot right at Brister at third who reeled it in and immediately fired off a throw to first base to double up Turner. Maze capped off the inning by gunning down a greedy Sydney Booker who attempted to stretch a base hit into a double at second but was out on the hard throw from left field.

"I just had to trust my defense. They had been playing great all day. Callie (Brister) had a double play in the second inning and then she had a couple great plays at third. The outfield really came to play." Mollie Hanson said. "They played great all day. Just trusting and knowing that they were behind me was great. With pitch calling, I thought that Coach Erin Arevalo did a great job mixing it up, changing up speeds, going up, down and out."

Hanson (23-9) finished the game limiting the Alabama offense to just six hits and three runs with a pair of strikeouts and a walk.

Alabama eventually struck first in the contest as Haylie McCleney ripped a two-run home run off of Hanson with a 3-2 count at the plate in the bottom of the third. Kallie Case set up the inning with a double down the right field line after Hanson struck out Peyton Grantham to start the inning.

The Crimson Tide tacked on a single run in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run from Case to extend their lead out to 3-0.

Freshman Hannah Trombley broke up Alexis Osorio's no-hitter in the top of the sixth as she ripped a single through the left side of the Alabama infield. Freshman Madison Couch, who pinch ran for Trombley, was eventually stranded at first to end the inning.

Osorio (16-6) tallied 14 strikeouts to only one walk through 111 pitches and pair of hits.

The Bulldogs continue action at the Tuscaloosa Regional as the team will face Texas State in an elimination game on Saturday, May 21, at 4 p.m.