Alabama, behind a freshman pitcher and a pinch hitter, beat top-seeded Oklahoma 1-0 in eight innings Sunday afternoon to force an elimination game in the Women's College World Series.
Crimson Tide senior utility player Caroline Hardy was called upon to pinch hit with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. She delivered with a single to center field that scored Kloyee Anderson from second base.
The throw from OU center fielder Nicole Mendes came to home plate, but not in time.
Alabama pitcher Montana Fouts, the SEC Freshman of the Year, shut out the top offense in the country.