College Softball World Series 2012: Game 1 Loss Won't Deter Alabama

The Alabama Crimson Tide went 58-8 this season, so a Game 1 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners isn't going to faze them.

This is a team that knows how to win, knows what it's like to face adversity and just so happens to have a handful of the best players in the nation.

The No. 2 Tide came out swinging against the Sooners' ace, Keilani Ricketts, but it took a while for the Sooners to break down Alabama's ace Jackie Traina.

It wasn't until the fifth that the Sooners even tied up 'Bama, and the Tide will treat that as one that got away from them.

Tonight's Game 2 is now obviously a must-win in this best-of-three series, but the sting of their Game 1 loss and the mounting pressure won't faze the SEC powerhouse.

Traina and Ricketts will be at it again, but from the batter's box as cleanup hitters for their respective squads in Game 2.

Should Traina and the Tide force the decisive Game 3 we'll see a repeat of Game 1 from a matchup standpoint. But before we get there Alabama needs their bats to wake up because without Traina on the mound, there's a good chance the Sooners' trio of Ricketts, Lauren Chamberlain and Jessica Shults will score some runs.

The Tide are fortunate enough to have their own power hitters in Traina, Kaila Hunt and Amanda Locke, and are fortunate enough to have hitters that can put the ball in play. The Sooners' defense is so used to Ricketts striking out opponents that they're not as battle-tested in the field.

Game 2 will offer more opportunities for scoring and this heavily favors the Tide. If they can get their bats on track there is no telling what they'll be like should they reach a decisive Game 3.