OKLAHOMA CITY–– Audrey Vandagriff served as Alabama's leadoff hitter for most of the first half of the 2026 season. Alexis Pupillo took over the role in early April. Both players had good moments in the position but weren't getting on base consistently enough. So when postseason play started in the SEC tournament, Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy, never one to be fully committed to the same starting lineup, put a new player in the leadoff spot. Second baseman was inserted in the top spot in the lineup and has been a spark plug for the offense ever since. Young reached base four times with three hits and three runs scored during Alabama's 6-3 win over UCLA in its Women's College World Series opener on Thursday night. Every time the Crimson Tide scored, Young was part of the play. She scored in the first inning on an RBI single from Marlie Giles. The infielder was also on base for home runs from Alexis Pupillo and Brooke Wells. Facing an offense as dangerous as UCLA's, every run counted.…