A Rain‑Delayed Super Regional Clash
The 2026 NCAA Super Regional opened with St. John's facing Alabama in Tuscaloosa, a setting that quickly turned dramatic when inclement weather forced a pause in play.
Evan Chaffee took the mound for St. John's and delivered two scoreless innings, striking out three batters while keeping the Crimson Tide at bay.
Alabama struck first in the third inning, capitalizing on an RBI single followed by a groundout that put them ahead 1‑0.
St. John's answered in the fourth when Dylan Fitzsimmons doubled, cutting the deficit to 2‑1, but the lead remained tenuous.
A subsequent sacrifice bunt extended Alabama's advantage to 3‑1, setting the stage for a pivotal sixth inning.
Adam Agresti launched a home run for St. John's in the sixth, narrowing the gap and sparking hope among the spectators.
The delay forced both teams to resume the following day, during which Alabama's Jason Torres delivered a grand slam in the seventh inning, widening the score to 7‑2.
Evan Hoeckele closed the game with two scoreless innings, recording three strikeouts before the final out.
The NCAA oversaw the proceedings, ensuring that the competition adhered to its regulations despite the weather interruption.