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)

Top Third Inning

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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