NCAA Softball Live Updates from No. 1 Alabama vs. USC Upstate

Score updates and analysis from Rhoads Stadium of the NCAA tournament regional round between the Crimson Tide and Spartans.

Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama for 2026 NCAA Regional | BamaCentral

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— Postseason softball is here, and the road to Oklahoma City starts in Tuscaloosa.

No. 1 Alabama opens NCAA tournament play against USC Upstate in the first game of the Tuscaloosa Regional. BamaCentral will follow the Crimson Tide through every pitch of the postseason, beginning with Friday's matchup.

The game is scheduled for a noon CT first pitch and will air on SEC Network. BamaCentral will provide updates throughout.

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Live updates

Bottom 3- Alabama batting

• Audrey Vandagriff sends a laser beam over the left field wall for her eighth home run of the season. Alabama 7, USC Upstate 0

• 5-6-7 due up for Alabama in the third

MID 3: Alabama 6, USC Upstate 0

Top 3- USC Upstate batting

• The runner at first gets caught in a rundown, and Alabama keeps Upstate off the board.

• A weak liner to second goes for a big second out because it doesn't allow either runner to advance.

• Another infield single puts runners on the corners with one out.

• A sacrific bunt moves the runner into scoring position with one out for the top of the lineup.

• Infield single to third goes for Upstate's first hit of the game.

END 2: Alabama 6, USC Upstate 0

Bottom 2- Alabama batting

• Roman puts a charge in one, but the Upstate left fielder makes a nice catch to end the rally. Tide scores six total in the inning.

• Pupillo doubles out to left field, and it brings in two runs. Alabama 6, USC Upstate 0

• Wells singles hard up the middle, and two more runs come in to score. Alabama pushes the lead to 4-0

• Infield single from Young loads the bases for Alabama's home run leader.

• Alabama now has two on with two outs for the top of the lineup, both runners in scoring position after White steals second.

• Kristen White chops one right in front of the plate, and Vandagriff is able to slide underneath the tag at home. Alabama 2, USC Upstate 0

• Hawkins steals second on defensive indifference, and Alabama now has two in scoring position for White.

• Hawkins is hit by a pitch, which puts runners on the corners with two outs for White.

• Vandagriff steals second and then moves to third with two outs on a groundout from Taylor.

• Vandagriff singles up the middle to keep the rally going.

• That was Giles' first home run since April 17. If she can get more pop back in her bat, it just makes the lineup even more dangerous.

• Solo home run from Marlie Giles gives Alabama the early lead. Alabama 1, USC Upstate 0

• Roman makes solid contact, but the ball is caught in center field for the first out.

• Roman, Giles and Vandagriff due up for the Tide.

MID 2: Alabama 0, USC Upstate 0

Top 2- USC Upstate batting

• A fly ball to left field retires the next batter, and Pallozzi bounces back from the walk.

• Two-out walk gives Upstate its first baserunner of the game.

• Pallozzi opens the second with her first strikeout of the game.

END 1: Alabama 0, USC Upstate 0

Bottom 1- Alabama batting

• Pupillo pops up on the infield, and Alabama goes down in order in the first.

• Wells strikes out swinging. Two outs.

• Young flies out to left on the first pitch she sees. One out.

• Young, Wells and Pupillo due up to get things going for the Crimson Tide.

MID 1: Alabama 0, USC Upstate 0

Top 1- USC Upstate batting

• Quick three up, three down inning for Pallozzi and the Alabama defense on just 10 pitches.

• Groundout to shortstop goes for the first out.

• The first pitch from Pallozzi is fouled out of play, and this game is underway.

Starting lineups

Starting lineups for USC Upstate vs. Alabama | Statbroadcast

*Ignore the logos in the lineups and look at the names. USC Upstate's lineup is on the left side with Alabama's on the right.

Pregame

• As a reminder, the regional weekend is double elimination, so the loss will not be season-ending for either team. The winner moves over to the winner's bracket, and the loser to the loser's bracket.

• Alabama is wearing its all white uniforms today with the script "Bama."

• Freshman Kaitlyn Pallozzi is getting the start in the circle for the Crimson Tide.

• Even with a noon weekday game, there were still fans lined up outside the Brickyard to get into Rhoads Stadium when the gates opened one hour prior to first pitch.

• It is an absolutely gorgeous day for softball in Tuscaloosa with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 70s.

Series history vs. USC Upstate: Alabama leads, 2-0
In Tuscaloosa: 2-0 | In Spartanburg: 0-0 | At Neutral Sites: 0-0
Last meeting: May 17, 2024 - Tuscaloosa, Ala. - W, 1-0 *NCAA Regionals*

Alabama statistical leaders:

Batting average: Brooke Wells- .404
RBIs: Brooke Wells- 61
Home runs: Brooke Wells- 22
ERA: Jocelyn Briski- 1.45
Wins: Jocelyn Briski- 21
Strikeouts: Jocelyn Briski- 175

USC Upstate statistical leaders:

Batting average: Taliyah Thomas- .418
RBIs: Taliyah Thomas- 48
Home runs: Laney Jennings, Taliyah Thomas- 7
ERA: Maddie Drerup- 3.26
Wins: Maddie Drerup- 20
Strikeouts: Maddie Drerup- 104

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