The University of Alabama didn't prolong its 1,000-victory celebration.
A milestone game signifying 20 years of winning softball was overwhelming, but it was brief. The fourth-ranked Crimson Tide needed just five innings to put away Mississippi Valley State by the mercy rule. Alabama won 14-0 at Rhoads Stadium to improve to 32-7.
"I just told the team there's not many times when you're in a program that's 20 years old that you get to see history," said Patrick Murphy, who was an assistant for the program's first two seasons before being promoted to head coach. "Team 20 was a part of history tonight.