Alabama softball wins Tuscaloosa Regional behind Vic Moten pitching gem
Amelia HurleyAlabama softball earned a repeat win over SC Upstate, this time in a 9-0 victory, to win the Tuscaloosa Regional championship and a super regional berth.
Alabama opened NCAA Tournament play Friday with an 8-0 run-rule win over SC Upstate in five innings, going on to claim a 3-0 shutout over Belmont on Saturday.
SC Upstate responded Saturday by beating Southeastern Louisiana 5-4, punching their ticket to the regional championship with a 10-1 win over Belmont.
Here’s a recap of how the Crimson Tide blew through the championship game on Sunday, May 17, at Rhoads Stadium.
Alabama softball secures super regional berth with Tuscaloosa Regional final
Alabama softball’s Alea Johnson closed out the final frame to secure a 9-0 win over SC Upstate and a super regional berth.
The No. 1 overall-seeded Crimson Tide will host the super regional, welcoming the Baton Rouge Regional champion next week. That team will be the winner of LSU vs. Virginia Tech.
Jena Young shoots second 2-run homer of day
Another 2-run homer by Jena Young pushed Alabama's lead to 9-0 at the top of the seventh inning with two outs. It marks the fourth home run scored today by the Crimson Tide.
Alabama cushions lead in final frame
Salen Hawkins shot an RBI single as Audrey Vandagriff hauled from second to home, extending Alabama's lead 7-0 over SC Upstate with one out at the top of the seventh inning.
SC Upstate breaks no-hitter, can't capitalize
Mackenzei Bernal singled and was able to advance to third, but the Spartans struck out swinging to close the sixth inning trailing 6-0.
Alabama strikes out swinging, strands loaded bases
Marlie Giles struck out swinging with the bases loaded to close out a run-rule opportunity for Alabama. The Crimson Tide leads 6-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning.
Alabama softball builds lead with RBI double
Brooke Wells doubled to right centerfield to bring home Kristen White, setting up Alabama 6-0 over SC Upstate with two outs at the top of the sixth inning.
Crimson Tide stays still after fifth inning
With runners on second and third, Ambrey Taylor flied out to right field, closing out the top of the fifth inning with a 5-0 lead over SC Upstate.
SC Upstate reached first off a fielding error, the lone dot in an otherwise perfect game for freshman Vic Moten. The Spartans weren't able to capitalize as we head into the sixth.
Alabama maintains lead, closes out fourth inning
With two runners on, Brooke Wells grounded out to close out the top of the fourth inning.
Two Spartans grounded out and one struck out to retire SC Upstate in order. Alabama freshman pitcher Vic Moten impressed with a barehanded catch and throw for the first out of the inning.
Alabama leads 5-0 over SC Upstate heading into the fifth inning.
SC Upstate can't get on board as batters retire in order
Two batters struck out swinging and one flied out to right field to keep SC Upstate scoreless as Alabama leads 5-0 heading into the fourth inning.
Brooke Wells extends Alabama softball lead with solo home run
The next at-bat after Jena Young's 2-run homer down right centerfield, Brooke Wells shot a solo home run down the same spot to set up Alabama 5-0 over SC Upstate to close out scoring at the top of the third inning.
SC Upstate's Ashlyn Brown stepped in relief of Maddie Drerup in the circle after the play.
Jena Young doubles Alabama lead with second home run of day
Jena Young shot a 2-run homer down right centerfield, bringing home Kristen White to double Alabama's lead to 4-0 over SC Upstate at the top of the third inning.
SC Upstate stays scoreless with 3 up, 3 down in second
Each of the Spartans' batters were retired in order to close the second inning with Alabama leading 2-0.
Audrey Vandagriff draws first blood with 2-run homer
With Ana Roman at third, Audrey Vandagriff bombed a home run to set Alabama up 2-0 over SC Upstate to close scoring at the top of the second inning.
Alabama softball, SC Upstate batters retired in order to start
Alabama's starting three were retired in order. Jena Young and Brooke Wells flied out to centerfield, while Alexis Pupillo grounded out to keep the Crimson Tide scoreless.
Alabama was also retired in order in its first game vs. SC Upstate before a six-run second inning.
SC Upstate followed as its first batter lined out, the second struck out and the third fouled out to close the first inning scoreless.
Vic Moten to get her first start in Tuscaloosa Regional
It'll be Alabama's Vic Moten vs. SC Upstate's Maddie Drerup in the circle for the Tuscaloosa Regional championship.
When does Alabama softball play vs SC Upstate in Tuscaloosa Regional title game?
- Location: Rhoads Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
- Game time: noon CT Sunday, May 17
First pitch in the Alabama softball vs. SC Upstate matchup for the Tuscaloosa Regional championship is set for noon CT Sunday, May 17.
What channel is Alabama softball vs SC Upstate in Tuscaloosa Regional championship?
- TV channel: SEC Network
- Streaming:Fubo (free trial)
The Tuscaloosa Regional championship game will air on SEC Network. It can be streamed on platforms such as Fubo, which offers a free trial.
How to listen to Alabama softball vs SC Upstate in Tuscaloosa Regional championship
- LISTEN: Catfish 100.1 FM
You can tune into each Alabama softball game on Catfish 100.1 FM.
Tuscaloosa Regional full schedule, bracket
Friday, May 15
- Alabama 8, SC Upstate 0 (five innings)
- Belmont 2, SE Louisiana 0
Saturday, May 16
- Game 3: Alabama 3, Belmont 0
- Game 4: SC Upstate 5, SE Louisiana 4
- Game 5: SC Upstate 10, Belmont 1
Sunday, May 17
- Game 6: Alabama vs. SC Upstate, noon CT
- Game 7: Alabama vs. SC Upstate (if necessary), 2:30 p.m. CT
Amelia Hurley covers high school and college sports for The Tuscaloosa News and USA TODAY Network. You can find her on X at ameliahurley_ or reach her at [email protected].