Alabama Looks the Part of Top Seed in Sweep Thorough Tuscaloosa Regional

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— The postseason party at Rhoads Stadium will roll on to next weekend. At the current rate, it doesn't seem like there are many teams capable of stopping the Crimson Tide’s celebration.

Top-seeded Alabama softball completed a sweep of the Tuscaloosa Regional on Sunday with a 9-0 win over USC Upstate. The Tide was practically untouchable this weekend, beginning the regional with an 8-0 win Friday before besting Belmont and star pitcher Maya Johnson during a 3-0 victory Saturday.

Sunday, it was Vic Moten's turn to shine in the circle. In the first NCAA tournament start of her career, Moten only allowed one hit and no runs to continue the pitching staff's scoreless streak on the weekend. Alea Johnson came in to pitch the final frame and complete the shutout for the third time in as many games.

"I think it’s the first time we’ve ever had three different pitchers throw shutouts— three starts, not complete games," Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said after the game. "But to have the three different young ladies do what they did, says a lot about Lance McMahon and what he’s done with the pitchers this year. Team defense, I thought, was really good. But they just dominate.”

Alabama pitched three shutout during the 2021 Tuscaloosa Regional, but Lexi Kilfoyl and Montana Fouts were the only two to start for the Crimson Tide that weekend. That team went on to reach the Women's College World Series semifinals. The 2026 pitching staff now has 25 shutouts on the season, tied for third most in program history.

The Crimson Tide's season-long home run power was on display as Audrey Vandagriff, Jena Young and Brooke Wells all blasted long balls out of the yard against Upstate on Sunday. It was a two-home run day for Young with home runs in the third and seventh innings, who came into the game with only four home runs on the season. Murphy joked that her power came from a good breakfast.

"I was just trying to stay behind the ball every at-bat and just have fun," Young said. "In that last at-bat, I was just swinging, having fun, nothing to lose. Just trying to have fun out there and get our team going.”

Alabama now has seven players with at least six home runs on the season.

It was a continuation of a strong weekend at the plate for Vandagriff as she went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. She had six total hits in the regional with two home runs.

From the dominant pitching to strong performances at the plate, the Crimson Tide looked like it belong as the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament. Over the three games, the Alabama pitching staff allowed six total hits and no runs. The Crimson Tide bats built some momentum to carry into the super regional round.

"They're the No. 1 seed for a reason," USC Upstate head coach Chris Hawkins said. "Give Alabama and Murph all the credit. He assembled a pretty good team this year.”

Alabama will face No. 16 LSU in Supers at Rhoads Stadium next weekend. The game times and TV channel will be finalized once all regionals around the country are completed.

"It stinks to send somebody home, but this is what you do this time of the year," Murphy said. "You’re trying to end peoples' careers, which is the hardest thing to do.”

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