Live Blog: No. 15 Alabama Softball vs. Jackson State in NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— There are signs set up all around Rhoads Stadium declaring "the greatest show on dirt" as Alabama softball prepares to open NCAA tournament play on Friday night against Jackson State.

The 15-seed Crimson Tide is the host team for the Tuscaloosa Regional with Virginia Tech, Belmont and Jackson State joining Alabama.

First pitch for the matchup between the Crimson Tide and Tigers is set for 5 p.m. CT but will also be dependent on the end time of the game before between Virginia Tech and Belmont. The game is streaming only on ESPN+, but BamaCentral will be providing coverage throughout.

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Starting Lineups

Alabama

Audrey Vandagriff - CF
Lauren Johnson - LF
Kali Heivilin - 2B
Marlie Giles - C
Salen Hawkins - SS
Brooke Ellestad - 3B
Mari Hubbard - DP
Abby Duchscherer - 1B
Larissa Preuitt - RF
Emily Winstead - P

Jackson State

Ka'Liyah Gipson - RF
Hermariya Stephens - CF
Jace Jackson - 3B
Meah Almaraz - 1B
Gabrielle Willis - LF
Brooklyn Morris - P
Beija Allen - DP
Kristina Carlson - C
Ariana Murillo - SS
Mackenzie Barney - 2B

Starting lineups — Starting Lineups | Katie Windha

Live Blog

(latest updates at the top)

In-Game Updates

Final Score: Alabama 8, Jackson State 0 in 5 innings of play.

Bottom 5 - Alabama Batting

Jackson State's catcher can't handle a pitch and Alexis Pupillo scores on a passed-ball to end the game. Alabama 8, Jackson State 0. The game ends in 1 hour and 31 minutes and the Crimson Tide stays in the winner's side of the NCAA Regional.

Audrey Vandagrill draws Alabama's second walk of the inning to load the bases. Kristen White can end the game with a base hit.

Alexis Pupillo draws a walk after a long at bat and its followed up by by Larissa Prueitt roping a single into the outfield. Alabama has runners on first and second with two outs. A single run will end the game for the Crimson Tide.

Brook Ellestad sacrifice flies out to the left fielder. Hawkins tags up to score and now Alabama is one out away from run-ruling its opening game of NCAA Regionals since 2021. Alabama 7, Jackson State 0.

Salen Hawkins got on board after taking a ball to the ankle. She worked her way to second and then third on wild pitches. Jackson State moves to bring in Madison McDowell to replace a clearly nervous Gonzalez in the circle.

Jackson State brings in Sofia Gonzalez to relieve Brooklyn Morris. Morris gave up six runs on seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

Mid 5- Alabama 6, Jackson 0

Top 5 - Jackson State Batting

Johnson gets Brooklyn Morris to ground out, strikes out Beija Allen and Kristina Carlson to open her NCAA Regionals. Alabama's defense hasn't had much work as its pitchers have been outstanding thusfar.

Alabama turns the game over to Alea Johnson in relief. Emily Winstead went four innings, giving up one hit and one walk with four strikeouts to limit the Jackson State Tigers offense.

Bottom 4 - Alabama Batting

Marlie Giles flied out to end the inning but Alabama is firmly in control after scoring another two runs in the fourth frame. Alabama 6, Jackson State 0.

Heivilin steals second to get into scoring positon. Alabama's stolen five bases in just four innings of action as Murphy continues to coach aggressively.

Kali Heivilin picks up her second RBI of the game by roping a single into the outfield and scoring Audrey Vandagriff. Alabama 6, Jackson State 0 as the Crimson Tide start to take control of the game.

Lauren Johnson grounds out to the short stop on a fielder's choice. Johnson scores Prueitt and Vandagriff moves to third with two outs in the inning. Alabama 5, Jackson State 0.

Audrey Vandagriff beats out an infield single to put runners on the corners with one out. Vandagriff's contact wasn't great but her speed was as she legged out the throw from the shortstop. The freshman keeps things going by stealing second.

Larissa Prueitt gets on board for the second time in the game with a single up the middle. The Crimson Tide has her on first with one out and head coach Patrick Murphy decides to get aggressive. Prueitt easily steals second to give Alabama a scoring chance.

Abby Duchscherer opens the inning by flying out to center field. Alabama looks to build off last inning's offensive outputs.

MID 4: Alabama 4, Jackson State 0

Top 4 - Jackson State Batting

Winstead responded to the single by striking out Meah Almaraz and getting Gabrielle Willis to fly out on a single pitch. Winstead's up to four strikeouts through four innings with 54 pitches thrown.

Jace Jackson gets Jackson State's first hit of the game, takine Emily Winstead back up the middle for a one-out single. It's the Tigers second base-runner of the game after Winstead gave up a walk in the last inning.

Bottom 3 - Alabama Batting

Mari Hubbard grounded out to end the inning but the Crimson Tide struck big with four runs on three hits with an error and left a runner on base. The Alabama offense got on the board to back up starting pitcher Emily Winstead's early efforts.

Brooke Ellestad ends an 0-14 slump with a two-out single down the right field line to score Hawkins and keep the inning going. Alabama 4, Jackson State 0.

Salen Hawkins crushes a ball over the left fielder's hand for a two-run, two-out double. Hawkins griped and ripped and Alabama is up 3-0.

Salen Hawkins with the two-run double!

📺ESPN+ | https://t.co/4gKWPRVymc #Team29 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/j9qW7CjCFM
— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) May 16, 2025

Marlie Giles smokes a ball barely foul over the fence. Alabama was mere feet away from opening the game up with a two-run home run, but Giles continued her at-bat and drew a walk to pass the bat down the lineup.

Kali Heivilin steals second to move into scoring position with two outs.

Kali Heivilin hits an infield single to score Larissa Preuitt. Heivilin hits the ball into the third base-short stop gap to get on board and keep the inning going. Alabama 1, Jackson State 0.

Lauren Johnson grounds out to the shortstop and Jackson State does a good job holding Preuitt at third. Kali Heivilin steps into the box with two outs in a critical moment. Alabama needs to score to take advantage of the leadoff triple.

Audrey Vandagriff strikes out swinging as Alabama struggles to time up Jackson State's slow speeds from the circle.

Alabama's Larissa Preuitt opens the inning with a triple off a throwing error. Preuitt's dribbler to the pitcher was thrown into right field foul territory and she screamed around the basepaths to take advantage of the error.

Top 3 - Jackson State Batting

Emily Winstead keep her strong outing going with a four-pitch strikout and a quick pop-out, but Jackson State's Ariana Murillo finally worked her into a deep pitch count, drawing a nine-pitch, two-out walk. Ka'Liyah Gipson tried to bunt her way aboard to keep the inning going but Brook Ellestad played it well from third base to end the inning on a fielder's choice.

Bottom 2 - Alabama Batting

Jackson State pitcher Brooklyn Morris stabbed at Brooke Ellestad's comebacker, Mari Hubbard quickly lined out and Abby Duchscherer popped out for a lackluster offensive inning and the game remains scoreless.

Top 2- Jackson State Batting

Emily Winstead continues her hot start, mowing down three Tigers in a row on 11 pitches. She forced two ground outs and a pop-out to keep the bases clean. Winstead's pitch count is up to 22 as she looks to shoulder the load in the opening game.

Bottom 1 - Alabama Batting

Hawkins hits a looper down the right-field line for a pop-out out in the third pitch of the at-bat. Alabama strands two runners to open the game but sent five batters to the plate to get after Brooklyn Morris.

Marlie Giles draws a five-pitch walk to put pressure on Jackson State. Salen Hawkins steps into the box with a great opportunity for the Crimson Tide to set the tone and take control in this game, but Hawkins needs a two-out hit.

Kali Heivilin bit hard on a change up and strikes out for Alabama's second out of the inning. Johnson takes second in what looks like a hit and run attempt. Alabama has a runner in scoring position in the top of the first.

Lauren Johnson rips a single down the left field line for Alabama's first hit of the 2025 NCAA Regionals. Johnson's on first with one out in the inning.

Audrey Vandagriff grounds out to second to open the game. The speedster can't beat out the infield dribbler.

Top 1 - Jackson State Batting

Emily Winstead struck out Ka'Liyah Gipson looking and Hermairya Stephens swinging. Alabama shortstop Salen Hawkins makes a back peddling catch on a Jace Jackson pop-up for an efficient start for the Crimson Tide. Alabama hopes to take Winstead deep into the game in order to save its other arms for later in the weekend. Winstead only threw 11 pitches in the opening frame.

Pregame

Jackson State is warming up in navy pants with navy tops and white trim. The SWAC Champions have "Tigers" across the chest in big block letters. The uniforms will mix well on the ESPN Plus broadcast.

Alabama is warming up in its white pants and white tops. The Crimson Tide has the classic script "Bama" across the chest as they begin the 26th post season appearance under head coach Patrick Murphy.

A perfect afternoon at the Rhoads House for some postseason softball! 🥎☀️#RollTide | @AlabamaSB https://t.co/jPY8FWS4RX pic.twitter.com/j6b6SRtEnu
— Alabama Athletics (@UA_Athletics) May 16, 2025

Alabama's game against Jackson State will have a 5:20 p.m. CT first pitch.

4:42 p.m.- Virginia Tech beats Belmont, 5-0. Alabama and Jackson State will begin in approximately 30 minutes.

The skies were overcast when I first got to Rhoads, but the sun has started to peak through the clouds at Rhoads Stadium as VT and Belmont are starting to wrap up.

As of 4:10 p.m., the Hokies and Bruins are in the bottom of the fifth inning with Virginia Tech leading, 5-0