OKLAHOMA CITY -- Alabama beat Oklahoma 6-2 on Day 1 of the Women’s College World Series being held in Hall of Fame Stadium. The Crimson Tide goes to 51-11 on the year while the Sooners drop to 50-12.
It marks the third consecutive WCWS appearance (2011, '12 and '14) in which Alabama has won its opening game.
After trading runs in the first two innings, Oklahoma went up 2-1 in the top of the fourth inning. From there, Alabama used home runs in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings to grab a 6-2 lead. It was the Tide’s fourth multi-homer game of the 2014 NCAA tournament.In the bottom of the fourth freshman Peyton Grantham homered to left center field, driving in senior Kaila Hunt and senior Molly Fichtner. In the next inning, junior Jadyn Spencer sent one over the left-field wall, bringing in sophomore Kallie Case. Grantham now has three hits since the start of the NCAA tourney, two of which have been home runs.
Senior All-American Jaclyn Traina picked up the win for Alabama in the pitching circle, pushing her record to 24-3 on the season, while Kelsey Stevens took the loss for Oklahoma, falling to 37-9.
Alabama returns to action at 9:30 p.m. ET Friday against Southeastern Conference foe Kentucky. It will mark the first time the two teams have faced each other this season.