NCAA Softball Live Updates from No. 1 Alabama vs. Belmont

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— No. 1 Alabama and Belmont both won their opening games of the NCAA tournament to set up one of the best pitching matchups in the country for Saturday's winner's bracket game.

The Crimson Tide (50-7) and Bruins (41-11) meet at Rhoads Stadium with a spot in the regional finals on the line. The game will be streaming only on ESPN+, but Ba,aCentral will be providing updates throughout. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT

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Live updates

(latest updates at the top)

MID 3: Alabama 3, Belmont 0

Top 3- Alabama batting

Three straight popups for Alabama in the third inning.

Wells, Pupillo and Roman due up for the Tide.

END 2: Alabama 3, Belmont 0

Bottom 2- Belmont batting

The Bruins are once again retired in order. Briski only had to throw eight pitches in the second.

Dole flies out to right on the first pitch she sees.

Heart of the order due up for the Bruins.

MID 2: Alabama 3, Belmont 0

Top 2- Alabama batting

Johnson retires the Tide in order in the second.

8-9-1 due up for the Tide

END 1: Alabama 3, Belmont 0

Bottom 1- Belmont batting

Easy 1-2-3 inning for Alabama in the field, led by two strikeouts from Briski.

MiD 1: Alabama 3, Belmont 0

Top 1- Alabama batting

Taylor strikes out swinging to end the frame, but Alabama scores three huge runs in the top of the first inning. The Tide couldn't have asked for a much better start as the designated visiting team to be able to strike first. Jocelyn Briski has only given up more than three runs just two times all season.

Audrey Vandagriff hits a ground ball to first. She is retired, but the runner at third comes in to score. Alabama 3, Belmont 0

Alabama strikes first as Giles single through a gap on the right side to score two runs. Alabama 2, Belmont 0

Roman draws a walk, and the bases are loaded for the senior captain Marlie Giles.

Pupillo steals second on defensive indifference, and Alabama now has two in scoring position with Roman facing a 3-0 count.

Pupillo singles up the middle, and Alabama has runners on the corners with one out.

Wells strikes out swinging on a 3-2 count for the first out of the inning.

Alabama gets a leadoff baserunner as Young is hit by a pitch.

The first pitch from Johnson is a strike, and this game is underway.

Jena Young, Brooke Wells and Alexis Pupillo will get things started for Alabama at the plate.

Starting lineups

Pregame

The Rhoads House is packed and rocking on this Saturday!

Today's umpires: Brett Higgins (home plate), Chelsea Clark (first base), Robert Guest (second base), Shane Jackson (third base)

Alabama is going with the same starting nine it has utilized since the start of the SEC tournament.

As expected, it will be Maya Johnson (28-2, 0.64 ERA) vs. Jocelyn Briski (21-3, 1.45 ERA) in the circle.

Even though Alabama is the host team and higher seed, the Crimson Tide will be the designated visiting team today and will bat first. Alabama is staying in its regular dugout though.

It is another beautiful day for softball in Tuscaloosa with sunny skies and temperatures in the low to mid 80s. It is slightly warmer than yesterday.

Alabama is wearing its all crimson uniform today.

Belmont beat Southeastern Louisiana 2-0 with Maya Johnson pitching a complete game for the Bruins. The offense did just enough, scoring a run in the first and sixth innings.

Alabama beat USC Upstate 8-0 in five innings on Friday. Both Marlie Giles and Audrey Vandagriff homered for the Crimson Tide, and freshman Kaitlyn Pallozzi pitched the complete game.

Series history vs. Belmont:Alabama leads, 4-0
In Tuscaloosa: 0-0 | In Nashville: 0-0 | At Neutral Sites: 4-0
Last meeting: April 23, 2019 - Cullman, Ala. - W, 6-4

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