What To Know Before Alabama Baseball Kicks Off Tuscaloosa Regional Friday

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Postseason baseball returns to The Joe this weekend as the No. 7 national seed Alabama Crimson Tide begins NCAA Tournament play Friday night against in-state foe Alabama State in the opening round of the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional.

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Alabama is seeking its first College World Series appearance since 1999 and enters the NCAA Tournament as one of the SEC’s hottest teams.

Here’s everything fans need to know before the regional gets underway at Sewell-Thomas Stadium:

The Field

The four-team NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional includes:

• No. 1 Alabama
• No. 2 Oklahoma State
• No. 3 USC Upstate
• No. 4 Alabama State

The regional winner advances to next week’s NCAA Super Regionals. If the Crimson Tide wins the Tuscaloosa regional, it will host the Super Regional.

Alabama’s Opening Matchup

Alabama will face Alabama State at 6 p.m. Friday in the second game of the regional opener.

The Crimson Tide enters the matchup with a perfect 15-0 all-time record against the Hornets, including two victories earlier this season.

Friday’s probable pitching matchup features Alabama right-hander Tyler Fay against a to-be-announced Alabama State starter.

Full Regional Schedule

Friday, May 29

• Game 1: USC Upstate vs. Oklahoma State — 1 p.m. CT
• Game 2: Alabama State vs. Alabama — 6 p.m. CT

Saturday, May 30

• Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser — 1 p.m. CT
• Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner — 6 p.m. CT

Sunday, May 31

• Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser — 2 p.m. CT
• Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner — 7 p.m. CT

Monday, June 1

• Game 7 (if necessary) — TBD

Where To Watch

Friday’s games will stream on ESPN+.

Fans can also follow the game through live stats and radio coverage on The Varsity Network.

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