The Alabama Crimson Tide, seeded seventh nationally, turned a tightly contested showdown into a 9‑7 victory over Oklahoma State, clinching a spot in the 2026 NCAA Super Regional.
A Night of Heroics in Tuscaloosa
The decisive moment arrived in the eleventh inning when Brady Neal launched a two‑out, three‑run homer that snapped a 6‑6 deadlock and sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
Eric Hines added his own spark earlier, smashing a solo homer in the eighth to knot the game at six and keep Alabama’s rally alive.
Jason Torres had put the Tide ahead with a fifth‑inning blast that gave them a two‑run edge, a lead that would prove crucial.
On the mound, freshman Myles Upchurch delivered a solid six‑inning start, limiting the Cowboys to five hits, while Hagan Banks shut the door with three scoreless frames, striking out six.
The win not only secured Alabama’s first Super Regional appearance since 2023 but also marked the first time since 2006 that the team will host a best‑of‑three series on its own diamond.
Brady Neal’s heroics earned him Tournament MVP honors and a place on the 2026 Tuscaloosa Regional All‑Tournament Team, while the Crimson Tide celebrated their 40th win of the season, the first time they have posted back‑to‑back 40‑plus win campaigns since 2005‑06.