Fueled by an explosive offense and a historic scoreless defensive stretch, the Crimson Tide shut out USC Upstate to continue their unprecedented postseason dominance at Rhoads Stadium.
If there was ever any doubt about who the standard of college softball is, Alabama answered it loud and clear this weekend in Tuscaloosa.
The Crimson Tide is headed back to the Super Regional round after a dominant 9-0 win over USC Upstate on Sunday at Rhoads Stadium, and with the victory, Alabama officially advanced to an NCAA-record 20th Super Regional appearance. That’s not just impressive, that’s history.
Once again, Patrick Murphy and this program proved why Alabama softball continues to be one of the most respected dynasties in the sport.
This team didn’t just win the Tuscaloosa Regional.
They completely owned it.
Alabama finished the entire weekend without allowing a single run, something the program has only accomplished one other time before.
Think about that for a second.
In the NCAA Tournament, against teams fighting to keep their seasons alive, the Crimson Tide pitching staff slammed the door every single inning.
Vic Moten was outstanding yet again on Sunday. The sophomore carried a perfect game deep into the contest and kept USC Upstate off balance from the very first pitch. Alabama’s defense backed her up all afternoon, playing clean softball and never giving the Spartans any life.
But while the pitching was elite, the offense was explosive.
Jena Young had the game of her life.
The junior infielder went 3-for-5 with two home runs and four RBIs, setting career highs in both categories on one of the biggest stages of the season. Every time Alabama needed another punch offensively, Young delivered it. Her two-run homer in the third inning helped completely swing momentum Alabama’s way, and her second blast in the seventh inning slammed the door shut for good.
Audrey Vandagriff continued her huge postseason weekend as well, blasting a two-run homer of her own and collecting three hits. The freshman continues to look fearless in big moments, and her energy at the top of the lineup has been massive for this team.
Then there’s Brooke Wells, who continues to climb Alabama history lists every single game. Wells launched her 23rd home run of the season Sunday and now sits just three shy of Bailey Hemphill’s single-season program record. She has been one of the biggest power threats in the country all season long, and she’s peaking at the perfect time.
The scary part?
Alabama looks like a team that’s still getting better.
The Crimson Tide hit four home runs Sunday and scored in four different innings, putting together another complete performance from top to bottom. This wasn’t just talent overwhelming an opponent. This was execution. This was confidence. This was a championship-caliber softball team playing its best softball at exactly the right time.
Patrick Murphy talked after the game about how special Alabama’s fan base has been during this incredible regional streak, and honestly, he’s right.
Rhoads Stadium was electric all weekend long, and now Tuscaloosa gets rewarded with another Super Regional.
Next up is LSU.
It won’t be easy.
Super Regionals never are.
But if Alabama continues to pitch the way it did this weekend and keeps getting this kind of production offensively, this team has every opportunity to make a serious run toward Oklahoma City.
Twenty Super Regionals.
Twenty.
That isn’t luck.
That isn’t coincidence.
That’s Alabama softball being the standard yet again.
Roll Tide.