Live Updates from Tuscaloosa Regional, No. 7 Alabama vs. Alabama State

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The 7-seeded Alabama baseball program opens NCAA Tournament play on Friday in the Tuscaloosa Regional. The Crimson Tide hosts Alabama State in the first postseason game in Tuscaloosa since 2023 and opts to put second team All-SEC honoree Tyler Fay on the mound to try to get the weekend started on a postive note.

The Crimson Tide defeated the Hornets twice this season in midweek games, once in Tuscaloosa and once in Montgomery. This game carries bigger stakes than a midweek skirmish as Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn looks for his first NCAA regional victory in charge of the program and more importantly the victor stays on the winner's side of the weekend's regional bracket.

Live Updates (Refresh Your Browser For Latest Updates at the Top)

FINAL SCORE: Alabama 21, Alabama State 3

Top Ninth Inning

Robertson strikes out Devin Chandler to end the game.

Fabian Santana gets on base with a bad throw from Jason Torres.

Robertson strikes out Alex Espaillat for the second out of the inning.

Cale Clark flies out to left field for the first out of the inning.

Tate Robertson enters the game for Alabama.

Bottom Eighth Inning

JoJo Williamson struck out looking to end the inning.

Will Plattner struck out looking for the second out of the inning.

Joe Chiarodo pokes a pinch-hit single into right field, moving Barnett to second base.

Caleb Barnett grounds into a fielder's choice. Barnett is safe at first and Kroberger is out at second on the ground ball.

Chase Kroberger gets on base with an infield single to open the inning.

Alabama State turns to Caleb Sanders out of the bullpen. It's the seventh Hornet pitcher of the night.

Top Eighth Inning

Sarna strikes out Jackson Williams to end the inning and we're moving into Alabama's last time at bat.

Sarna strikes out Trey Callaway for the second out of the inning. Hornets still have men on first and second.

Owen Sarna strikes out Niguel Jenkins for the first out of the inning.

Will Plattner gets geared up to catch as John Lemm's night is over.

John Lemm is being addressed by Alabama trainers as the Crimson Tide catcher is holding his hand. It looks like Lemm will leave the game.

Sarna hits Miguel Oropeza to put two Hornets on base with no outs.

Devin Chandler draws a walk to open the inning.

Owen Sarna enters the game for Alabama in relief.

Bottom Seventh Inning

Justin Lebron pops out into foul territory to end the inning, but it's three more runs for Alabama, who sent five different pinch-hitters to the plate.

Evan Taylor hits a double down the left field line to score Williamson and Osterhouse. Alabama leads 21-3.

Justin Osterhouse draws a pinch-hit walk to keep the inning going.

Andrew Purdy flies out right field, but scores John Lemm from third tagging up. Alabama leads 19-3.

JoJo Williamson gets a pinch-hit fielder's choice. Williamson is safe at first, Lemm is safe at third, but Plattner is out at second for the first out in the inning.

Jacob Loeffler becomes Alabama State's sixth pitcher of the night.

Will Plattner draws a pinch-hit walk. Alabama has men on first and second with no outs.

John Lemm draws a walk to open the inning.

Top Seventh Inning

Evan Steckmesser struck out Devin Chandler swinging to end the inning.

Alex Espaillat popped out to open the inning and Favian Santana grounded out to second base. Chase Kroberger came into the game at right field for Brady Neal.

Bottom Sixth Inning

Jason Torres strikes out looking but Alabama scores six runs in the inning and has a 15-run lead.

Brady Neal launches a solo home run into right field. Alabama leads 18-3.

Lebron strikes out swinging for his third strikeout of the night.

Justin Lebron steps in to face the fifth Alabama State pitcher of the night Zane Baltz.

Bryce Fowler smashes a two-run home run over the right field wall to take Alabama lead to 17-3.

Peyton Steele grounds out to second base for the first out, but scores Brennan Holt from third for an RBI. Alabama leads 15-3.

Eric Hines scores from third on a wild pitch. Alabama leads 14-3.

Luke Vaughn gets plunked in the back to load the bases for the Crimson Tide with no outs for Peyton Steele.

Brennan Holt hits an RBI single through the infield, scoring John Lemm and extending Alabama's lead to 13-3.

Araujo hits Eric Hines, putting men on first and second with no outs.

Alabama State turns to Caio Araujo from the bullpen.

John Lemm draws a walk to open the inning.

Top Sixth Inning

Cale Clark popped out to left field to end the inning.

Fay went 5.2 innings of action, giving up three runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and a walk. The Crimson Tide turns to Evan Steckmesser in the bullpen.

Fay bounces right back to strike out Jackson Williams but it looks like his day is coming to an end.

Trey Callaway hits a solo home run over the left field wall, cutting Alabama's lead to 12-3.

Tyler Fay continues his strong outing, striking out Niguel Jenkins to open the inning.

Bottom Fifth Inning

Jason Torres flies out to the second baseman, but Alabama adds three more runs and leads 12-2.

Brady Neal pops out to the first baseman for the second out of the inning.

Justin Lebron smashed a three-run home run over the left field fence to extend Alabama's lead to 12-2.

Alabama State turns to Joe Dolinshek to replace Camden Matthews. Matthews went .2 innings pitched, allowing two runs on one hit with three walks and two wild pitches. He's responsible for Vaughn on second and Fowler on first.

Bryce Fowler draws a walk as Camden Matthews is struggling with his control.

Luke Vaughn moves to second base on a wild pitch.

Peyton Steele popped out to centerfield for the first out of the frame.

Luke Vaughn drew a four-pitch walk to open the fifth inning.

Top Fifth Inning

Tyler Fay strikes out Miguel Oropeza for a 1-2-3 frame.

Devin Chandler flies out to centerfield for a quick second out.

Fabian Santana flies out to left field to open the inning as Tyler Fay continues his outing.

Bottom Fourth Inning

Brennan Holt strikes out swinging to end the inning but Alabama puts up six runs in the inning to take a commanding 9-2 lead.

Eric Hines rips a single back up the middle, scoring Jason Torress from third and John Lemm from second. Alabama leads 9-2.

Brady Neal scores on a wild pitch. Alabama has scored four in the inning and leads 7-2.

John Lemm takes a pitch in the hand and walks to first frustrated. Alabama has the bases loaded for Eric Hines.

Camden Matthews walks Jason Torres in four pitches.

Jorhan LaBoy is being pulled. He went 3.2 innings, allowing six runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and a walk. He's in line to lose his first contest of the year. Alabama State turns to Camden Matthews in relief.

Brady Neal ropes a double into the right field gap and scores Bryce Fowler from first base. Alabama leads 6-2.

Justin Lebron strikes out for the second time tonight and the second out of the inning.

Bryce Fowler ropes a single through the middle and Luke Vaughn races around the bases to score. Alabama extends its lead to 5-2.

Luke Vaughn steals second base on a passed ball.

Peyton Steele flies out into left field foul territory for the first out of the inning.

Luke Vaughn gets his third RBI of the night with a single into the outfield. Holt races around from second to score, making the score 4-2 Alabama.

Brennan Holt lays down a great bunt and beats out an errant throw. Holt advances to second on the error and gives Alabama a baserunner with no outs.

Top Fourth Inning

Alex Espaillat flies out to Bryce Fowler to end the inning, stranding Callaway at third base and preserving Alabama's 3-2 lead.

Cale Clark grounds into a 3-6-1 double-play. Some nice fielding by Alabama to get two outs but Callaway moves to third looking to tie the game.

Jackson Williams singled through the infield, putting Hornets on first and second with no outs in the inning.

Trey Callaway singled into left field to open the inning as the Hornets are getting to Fay a little bit.

Bottom Third Inning

Eric Hines grounds out to third base ending the inning. Alabama stranded two runners and didn't make the Hornets pay for their errors.

John Lemm pops out to the shortsop on the edge of the outfield. Alabama's runners stay put, bringing up Eric Hines with two outs.

Jason Torres hits a hard hit ball to the shortstop. He reached safely on a throwing error by Breydon Divine. Two errors have Alabama runners on first and second with one out for John Lemm.

Brady Neal ropes a double into centerfield to give the Crimson Tide a baserunner.

Justin Lebron strikes out swinging to open the third inning.

Top Third Inning

Niguel Jenkins pops out to Luke Vaughn in foul territory to end the inning. Alabama State bites into Alabama's lead with the two-run blast.

Miguel Oropeza takes Tyler Fay deep, hitting a two-out, two-run home run into the Alabama bullpen. Alabama leads 3-2.

Breydon Divine draws a five-pitch walk to give the Hornets a two-out baserunner.

Devin Chandler sends one for a ride, but Bryce Fowler makes the catch near the centerfield warning track for the second out.

Fabian Santana grounds out to Luke Vaughn at first. Tyler Fay runs over to cover the base nicely and Alabama State flips their batting order.

Bottom Second Inning

Bryce Fowler flies out to left field to end the inning, but Alabama extends its lead to 3-0 after two innings.

Peyton Steele draws a four-pitch walk and the Crimson Tide have gotten back to the top of the order.

Luke Vaughn smashes a two-run home run over the playground in left field to give Alabama a 3-0 lead.

Brennan Holt pops up to shallow left field for the second out of the frame.

Eric Hines grounds into a fielder's choice at third base. Lemm is thrown out at second, and Hines is safe at first with one out.

John Lemm gets on base safely after Alex Espaillat couldn't bring in the ground ball at second base.

Top Second Inning

Tyler Fay strikes out Alex Espaillat for the final out of the frame. Clark is stranded on first and Fay is up to five strikeouts on the day.

Cale Clark gets hit by a pitch and takes first base.

After a review, Jackson Williams is out at first and there are two outs in the inning.

Jackson Williams beats out a dropped third strike at first. The umpires are gathering to discuss the call as Alabama State looks for their first baserunner. The play is under review.

Tyler Fay picks up his third strikeout of the game to open the second inning. He's struck out three of the first five batters he's faced.

Bottom First Inning

Jason Torres grounds out to the shortstop to end the inning. Alabama takes a 1-0 lead after one inning.

Brady Neal works an at bat, but grounds out to second base for the second out of the inning.

Justin Lebron hits a sacrifice fly into centerfield. Bryce Fowler tags up from third and Alabama takes a 1-0 lead.

Alabama leadoff man Bryce Fowler opens the game with a triple off the centerfield wall. The Crimson Tide is in business early.

Alabama State starting pitcher Jorhan LaBoy is 16-0 on the season with a 3.87 ERA with 65 strikeouts in 83.2 innings pitched.

Top First Inning

Niguel Jenkins flies out to Bryce Fowler in centerfield to end the inning.

Miguel Oropeza ropes a single into left field for the first Alabama State hit of the evening.

Fay with six-straight strikes and two quick outs in the first inning.

Tyler Fay opens the game with three straight strikes and we're underway here in Tuscaloosa with the first out of the game.

Pregame

5:45 p.m. CT - The crowd is starting to fill in at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. Alabama State warms up in all black uniforms, while Alabama warms up in their home white uniforms with crimson trim.

Starting Lineups

Alabama State

LF - Devin Chandler
SS - Breydon Divine
RF - Miguel Oropeza
CF - Niguel Jenkins
C - Trey Callaway
1B - Jackson Williams
DH - Cale Clark
2B - Alex Espaillat
3B - Fabian Santana

Alabama

CF - Bryce Fowler
SS - Justin Lebron
RF - Brady Neal
3B - Jason Torres
C - John Lemm
DH - Eric Hines
2B - Brennan Holt
1B - Luke Vaughn
LF - Peyton Steele

Alabama will wear its white hats on Friday night against Alabama State pic.twitter.com/6Xv21yuGxg
— Joe Gaither (@JoeGaither6) May 29, 2026

4:45 p.m. CT - The tarp is being rolled up, and the shower seems to have passed. The sun is peaking through the clouds, and the grounds crew is preparing the field for tonight's 6 p.m. CT start on SEC Network.

4:30 p.m. CT - There's a light shower in the area, and the tarp is on the field, but sunlight can easily be seen in the west. It doesn't look like the rain will delay the start time.

3-seed USC Upstate upset 2-seed Oklahoma State in the opening game of the Tuscaloosa Regional 8-5, sending the Cowboys into the sudden death portion of the double-elimination weekend.

Alabama Baseball Regional Tournament Hub: Schedule, How to Watch, Bracket Breakdown

How to Watch: 7-Seed Alabama vs. Alabama State in the Tuscaloosa Regional

Who: 7-seed Alabama (37-19, 18-12 SEC) vs. Alabama State (34-21, 20-10 SWAC)

What: NCAA Regional Game 1

When: Friday, May 29, 6 p.m. CT

Where: Sewell-Thomas Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

TV: SEC Network

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network. LISTEN LIVE

Series: Alabama leads the series against the Hornets 15-0, dating back to the first matchup in 1983.

Last Meeting: The Crimson Tide defeated Alabama State 13-4 on March 4 in Montgomery. Brady Neal hit two doubles, Justin Lebron hit a home run, and Alabama stole nine bases to outpace the Hornets. The two clubs played a closer game on Feb. 18 in Tuscaloosa with the Crimson Tide winning 2-1 as freshman Eric Hines scored on a passed ball in the fifth inning to take the lead.

Last time out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide was on the wrong end of a run-rule contest as Florida eliminated Alabama 13-3 in eight innings in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals. Liam Peterson struck out 14 Alabama batters, and the Gators got the bats going in the middle innings, scoring two runs in the fourth and five in the fifth to take control.

Last time out, Alabama State: The Hornets defeated Florida A&M 8-6 in the SWAC Championship game on Sunday. Trey Callaway's three-run home run in the sixth inning gave Alabama State control as the Hornets amassed 13 hits on the afternoon.

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