Duke vs. Alabama softball final score, results: Marlie Giles' late HR lifts Crimson Tide to WCWS win | Sporting News (2024)

Alabama and Duke did not generate much offense Friday night at the Women's College World Series, but Marlie Giles brought just enough herself to keep the Crimson Tide's season alive.

Her RBI double in the first inning and solo home run in the sixth led No. 14 seed Alabama to a 2-1 victory over No. 10 Duke. The Crimson Tide will play the loser of Saturday's game between No. 4 Florida and No. 1 Texas at 3 p.m. ET Sunday.

Duke's season ended despite an excellent performance from Cassidy Curd on the mound. She pitched all seven innings, allowing just four hits and one earned run. Her few mistakes, though, were just enough for Alabama to steal the win.

Jocelyn Briski started the game for the Crimson Tide, pitching 3.1 innings and allowing five hits and one earned run. Kayla Beaver followed with a perfect 3.2 innings, including three strikeouts, to close out the game. Beaver improved her record to 19-10 on the season.

Alabama lives another day at the 2024 Women's College World Series but will have a tough test in another elimination game Sunday against either Florida or Texas.

The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights from Friday's Women's College World Series matchup between Duke and Alabama.

MORE:Watch Women's College World Series games live with Fubo (free trial)

Duke vs. Alabama softball final score

Duke vs. Alabamalive updates, highlights fromWomen's College World Series

(All times Eastern)

9:16 p.m. End of game:Beaver strikes out Goddard and keeps the Crimson Tide's season alive. Alabama wins 2-1, ending Duke's season.

9:15 p.m.:Sarah Goddard is in for a pinch-hit opportunity with the season on the line.

9:14 p.m.:Tapia battled in a nine-pitch at-bat, but she grounds out. One out remains.

9:10 p.m.:Liner to first base — two outs remain.

9:07 p.m.:Three outs to. determine the Blue Devils' fate.

9:06 p.m. End of top seventh:Slight scare for the Blue Devils asHeivilin took the ninth pitch of her at-bat deep to right field. Davidson makes the catch to end the inning.

8:58 p.m.:Curd is back on the mound with 78 pitches so far. She gets a one-pitch ground out to start.

8:55 p.m. End of sixth:Easy 1-2-3 inning for Beaver as the game enters its final frame.

8:52 p.m.:Beaver is cruising through the Blue Devils' lineup right now. She's picked up two outs in the bottom of the sixth and faces Torres with no runners on.

8:47 p.m. End of top sixth:Well, Curd makes quick work of the next two Alabama batters, but the damage was already done. Alabama leads 2-1.

8:45 p.m.:HOME RUN! Giles takes a low and outside pitch over the right-center wall to put the Crimson Tide up 2-1 with one out. She's responsible for both of the team's runs tonight.

CLUTCH HOME RUN❗️#WCWS x 🎥 ESPN / @AlabamaSB pic.twitter.com/vDtFHHhK5N

— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 1, 2024

8:42 p.m.:Curd is back on the mound for the sixth innings. Very few mistakes from her so far.

8:38 p.m. End of fifth:Back-to-back ground outs to first base makes for a quick inning.

8:36 p.m.:Beaver strikes out Burgess on three pitches to start the bottom of the fifth.

8:31 p.m. End of top fifth:Curd gets out of the jam, leaving runners on first and third as Cahalan flies out to center. Score remains 1-1.

8:29 p.m.:Curd walks White to put runners on the corners with two outs in the fifth.

8:26 p.m.:Heivilin smashes a triple just over the head of Burgess in left field. It was nearly the same spot where Burgess robbed the home run earlier.

8:22 p.m.:Curd is back on the mound and gets an early fly out to start the fifth.

8:18 p.m. End of fourth:Beaver strikes out Baker with the riseball to end the fourth inning, leaving Gold stranded on second.

8:16 p.m.:Gold advances to second on a fielder's choice. Baker up to bat with two outs.

8:12 p.m.:That'll do it for Briski tonight.Kayla Beaver enters the game with one out and one on in the bottom of the fourth.

8:11 p.m.:Gold gets her second base hit of the evening, driving a ball in between third base and shortstop. She's up to a single and home run on the day.

8:08 p.m. End of top fourth:Valentine flies out to center to end the inning. Score remains 1-1.

8:05 p.m.:Curd's been excellent since the first inning, and she's picked up two more outs to start the fourth.

7:58 p.m. End of third:Call is overturned which ends the third inning.

Swiper NO SWIPING 😎#WCWS x 🎥 ESPN / @AlabamaSB pic.twitter.com/EFz3gy58RA

— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 1, 2024

7:56 p.m.:Frelick steals second base, but Alabama is electing to challenge the call.

7:54 p.m.:Blue Devils get a base runner as Frelick walks with two outs.

7:52 p.m.:Good start to the bottom of the third for Briski who struggled a bit in the previous inning. She picks up the first out on a ground out.

7:47 p.m. End of top thirdBurgess picks up the first and final out of the top of the third. The final out wasn't as spectacular but counts the same. Score remains 1-1.

7:45 p.m.:White bunts for a single immediately afterHeivilin nearly went yard.

7:44 p.m.:WOW! Burgess just robbed a home run fromHeivilin to kick off the top of the third.

ROBBED BY @amiahburgess10 😱#WCWS x 🎥 ESPN / @DukeSOFTBALL pic.twitter.com/JxcMOAlmV6

— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) May 31, 2024

7:39 p.m. End of second:Briski gets out of the jam, allowing just one run.

7:38 p.m.:Briski strikes out the following batter but immediately allows a single on the next batter. She's in some trouble at first and second, but she does have two outs.

7:35 p.m.:And there's another base hit for Duke as Tapia knocks one to left field for a single.

7:33 p.m.:HOME RUN! Duke's Gold smashes one to left-center field to put the Blue Devils on the board. Score sits at 1-1 with one out in the bottom of the second.

BACK THAT BALL GOES 👋#WCWS x 🎥 ESPN / @DukeSOFTBALL pic.twitter.com/Bix37ALj27

— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) May 31, 2024

7:28 p.m. End top second:That's a 1-2-3 inning for the Blue Devils as Esman grounds out on her bunt attempt.

7:27 p.m.:Curd is settling in to start the second inning as she forces back-to-back fly outs.

7:22 p.m. End first:Briski gets out of the inning after Davdison's double. Vega flew out to RF, and Frelick grounded out to SS.

7:18 p.m.:Davidson picks up a one-out double for the Blue Devils.

7:14 p.m.End top first:That's it for the Crimson Tide in the top half, they lead 1-0.

7:12 p.m.:Giles rocks one to the right-center gap and Cahalan scores the first run of the game. Alabama leads 1-0.

The Tide strikes first 🐘#WCWS x 🎥 ESPN / @AlabamaSB pic.twitter.com/iiDOnJcCn0

— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) May 31, 2024

7:09 p.m.:Cahalan reaches on an infield single and advances to second base on an error with one out.

7:06 p.m.:Curd throws a first pitch strike to start the game.

7:02 p.m.:It's almost time for the elimination game to get going.

6:49 p.m.:Starting lineup for Duke:

1. D'Auna Jennings (CF)
2. Claire Davidson (RF)
3. Aminah Vega (2B)
4. Frankie Frelick (DP)
5. Kelly Torres (C)
6. Ana Gold (3B)
7. Gisele Tapia (1B)
8. Jada Baker (SS)
9. Amiah Burgess (LF)
10. Cassidy Curd (P/FLEX)

6:39 p.m.:Starting lineupfor Alabama:

1. Kristen White (CF)
2. Kenleigh Cahalan (SS)
3. Jenna Johnson (LF)
4. Marlie Giles (C)
5. Bailey Dowling (3B)
6. Riley Valentine (DP)
7. Lauren Esman (1B)
8. Lauren Johnson (RF)
9. Kali Heivilin (2B)
10. Jocelyn Briski (P)

How to watch Duke vs. Alabama softball

• Start time:7 p.m. ET
• TV channel: ESPN
• Live stream:ESPN+,Fubo

Friday's elimination matchup between Duke and Alabama will begin at 7 p.m. ET. in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Fans can tune in on ESPN or stream the game on ESPN+orFubo, which offers a free trial.

Women's College World Series schedule 2024

Thu., May 30

Fri., May 31

Sat., June 1

Sun., June 2

Mon., June 3

Wed., June 5

Thu., June 6

Fri., June 7