The No. 2 seed Alabama softball team (51-9) will compete in the Women’s College World Series against No. 7 seed California (44-11). The two teams will play in Oklahoma City on Thursday.

The Crimson Tide earned the berth after defeating the No. 15 seed Stanford Cardinals this past weekend at Rhoads Stadium. After losing the first game, the Tide battled back to win two straight.

“First, Stanford was incredible, and they have a great program with great coaches,” head coach Patrick Murphy said. “I told them at the beginning when I gave them a tour around that I wish it wasn’t them, because I wanted to see them in Oklahoma City. I just respect the heck out of John (Rittman), his staff, his players; his team is a very classy group. They had one heck of a year. That was one of the best ball games we have had in the stadium, one of the best crowds, one of the best atmospheres. It was awesome.”

The Tide has advanced to 13 NCAA tournaments in its 15 years and has won five Super Regional titles. This will be the Tide’s seventh time advancing to the Women’s College World Series and its first since earning back-to-back berths in 2008 and 2009.

“There are only eight schools [that advance to the WCWS], and you never know when you are going to do it again,” Murphy said. “Like I said in Wednesday’s press conference, this is the toughest part, getting there. For those two [Kelsi Dunne and Whitney Larsen] to get to go again is awesome. I hope that Jackie [Traina] starts on her road of four straight. It is just a great feeling for them.”