Stanford softball found itself in an elimination game at the Women’s College World Series Friday after losing to Oklahoma in the opener. Fortunately, the Cardinal pitchers were dialed in while facing Alabama.

On the mound, Alana Vawter and NiJaree Canady combined to produce a 1-hitter against the Crimson Tide. Vawter started and went 5.1 innings with the hit allowed and 5 strikes. Canady followed with 3 strikeouts without allowing a baserunner in 1.2 innings pitched to secure the victory.

Defense for the Cardinal was top-notch throughout the performance and came up with a number of clutch plays. River Mahler made one brilliant back-handed stop and throw on the run to steal a hit in the 4th inning while Kaitlyn Lim laid out to steal a hit in the 6th inning.

Offensively, Sydney Steele provided all the offense Stanford would need on the night. She went 2-for-3 with an RBI double in the top of the 2nd inning before adding some insurance with a solo home run in the 7th.

With the win, Stanford will advance to another elimination game on Sunday. The Cardinal will await the loser of Saturday’s game between Oklahoma and Tennessee.

Main photo via Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) on Twitter.