SEC Baseball Tournament Live Updates from 4-Seed Alabama vs. 5-Seed Florida

HOOVER, Ala. -- 4-seed Alabama opens its 2026 Southeastern Conference baseball tournament in the quarterfinals against 5-seed Florida. The Crimson Tide received a double-bye after finishing fourth in the SEC this season, the program's highest finish since 2009.

The Crimson Tide will throw Tyler Fay in Thursday's contest, fresh off his second team All-SEC selection. Fay threw a no-hitter against the Gators in their regular season matchup on March 20. Florida counters with Liam Peterson, who gave up six runs on nine hits in five innings of action in the same game.

LIVE UPDATES (Refresh your browswer for latest Uptates)

Top Second Inning

Karson Bowen is thrown out at first trying to bunt down the third base line. Tyler Fay is through two innings without allowing a run.

Caden McDonald grounds into a double-play. Justin Lebron fields the initial ground ball and the Crimson Tide defense easily erases both runners.

Ethan Surowiec gets Florida's first hit of the day, singling into left field.

Bottom First Inning

John Lemm strikes out to end the inning and strands two runners. The Crimson Tide got the games first two hits of the day, but the score remains 0-0 after one inning.

Jason Torres singled up the middle for a little two-out rally. Neal moves to second. Torres' ground ball was stopped in the infield, but the shortstop couldn't get back up and make the throw after his dive.

Brady Neal gets the game's first hit. He pokes one up the middle for a two-out single.

Justin Lebron pops up to shallow right field for the second out of the inning for Alabama.

Bryce Fowler sends the second pitch he sees deep into right field, but flies out. Good contact, however it's an out, as Rob Vaughn often says.

Top First Inning

Blake Cyr strikes out swinging and it's a 1-2-3 first inning for Tyler Fay with two strikeouts.

Brendan Lawson lines out to Luke Vaughn at first base for the second out.

Tyler Fay strikes out Kyle Jones swinging for the first out of the game.

3:32 - First pitch is a ball by Tyler Fay and we're underway in Hoover.

Pregame

3:17 p.m. CT - The video board is showing a step by step explination of the ABS system. This will be the first game the Crimson Tide has ever played with the ability to challenge balls and strikes.

2:59 p.m. CT - Georgia has held on to win 5-3. THe Crimson Tide and Gators will play at approximately 3:30 p.m. CT.

2:47 p.m. CT - Mississippi State and Georgia are entering the top of the ninth inning. Georgia is holding a slim 5-2 lead entering the final frame. The winner of Alabama and Florida's game will meet the winner of this contest.

Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron had no shortage of fans waiting for him as the Crimson Tide got off the bus in Hoover ahead of today’s game against Florida pic.twitter.com/PPnX74RFUI
— Joe Gaither (@JoeGaither6) May 21, 2026

Starting Lineups

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

Florida

CF - Kyle Jones
SS - Brendan Lawson
LF - Blake Cyr
3B - Ethan Surowiec
DH - Caden McDonald
C - Karson Bowen
1B - Landon Stripling
2B - Cade Kurland
RF - Hayden Yost

How to Watch: 4-Seed Alabama vs. 5-Seed Florida in SEC Tournament Quarterfinals

Who: Alabama (37-18, 18-12 SEC) vs. Florida (38-18, 18-12 SEC)

What: SEC Tournament Quarterfinal Matchup

When: Thursday, May 21, TBA - Estimated 3:30 p.m. CT (30 minutes after the conclusion of Georgia vs. Mississippi State starting at noon.)

Where: Hoover Metropolitan Complex, Hoover, Alabama

TV: SEC Network

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network. LISTEN LIVE

Series: Alabama trails 61-69, with the first matchup occurring on May 1, 1940. The Crimson Tide is 4-6 in SEC Tournament play against the Gators.

Last Meeting: The Crimson Tide swept the Florida Gators in a three-game series in March in Tuscaloosa. The series was highlighted with Alabama starting pitcher Tyler Fay, throwing the program's first complete game no-hitter in over 80 years.

Last time out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide won its third SEC series in a row by taking Saturday's game three against Ole Miss 6-2. Alabama saw all three starting pitchers work deep into their respective appearances, Justin Lebron notch four RBIs and Jason Torres make a clutch hit to earn the series win over the Rebels.

Last time out, Florida: The Florida Gators won their opening game at the SEC Tournament 8-3 over the Vanderbilt Commodores. The Gators jumped into 3-0 lead in the first two innings and scored three runs late to pull away from the Commodores. Brendan Lawson and Blake Cyr had two RBIs each as the Gators advanced.

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