Live Updates: Alabama Softball vs. Middle Tennessee State (NCAA Regional Final)

The No. 5-seeded Crimson Tide continues play in the NCAA Tournament, with a trip to the Super Regionals on the line.

Alabama Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — After defeating Middle Tennessee State 12-5 on Saturday, Alabama is back at Rhoads Stadium for its third game of the Tuscaloosa Regional.

Alabama is the No. 5 overall seed. Joining the Crimson Tide in the double-elimination Tuscaloosa Regional this weekend are Central Arkansas, Middle Tennessee State and LIU. After falling to Patrick Murphy's squad yesterday, the Blue Raiders find themselves back in the regional championship game after defeating Central Arkansas 3-0 in the elimination bracket.

Game One Final: Middle Tennessee 4, Alabama 1

Alabama musters just one run on five hits in the first game as the Blue Raiders force the if-necessary game Sunday afternoon. First pitch for the regional championship will be at 3:55 p.m.

Game 2 Starting Lineup:

Follow along on the live blog for score updates and analysis from Rhoads Stadium:

Tuscaloosa Regional Schedule

• Sunday's Games
• 1:00 p.m.: Alabama vs. Middle Tennessee State, ESPN+
• 4:30 p.m.: Alabama vs. Middle Tennessee Sate (if necessary), ESPN+

What You Need to Know About the Crimson Tide

• Alabama is coming off a semifinal appearance at last weekend's SEC Tournament, earning wins over Missouri and tournament host Arkansas before falling to Tennessee
• Ashley Prange and Jenna Johnson were named to the SEC All-Tournament team, with Johnson going 4-for-11 (.364) while Prange was 4-for-7 (.571) with five runs scored, five walks, five RBIs and three home runs
• The Crimson Tide placed four on the All-SEC teams announced last Thursday, with Montana Fouts and Prange earning First Team honors and Johnson and Larissa Preuitt on the Second Team
• Kenleigh Cahalan leads the team with 53 hits, with Ally Shipman close behind with 52 as the pair also owns a combined 30 doubles
• Ashley Prange (50) and Bailey Dowling (49) are next on the team in hits, with the pair leading the team in RBIs (45,43) and home runs (16,8)
• The Alabama pitching staff has a 2.00 ERA with 394.2 innings pitched, led by Montana Fouts at 23-9 with a 1.44 ERA and NCAA-leading 311 strikeouts in 213.1 innings pitched
• Murphy is in his 25th season as head coach at Alabama with a 1,231-350 (.779) record
• Alabama returns 11 players from last year's team, including All-SEC honorees Montana Fouts, Ashley Prange, Ally Shipman and Bailey Dowling, while also welcoming five freshmen and three transfers

See Also:

Alabama Softball's Kali Heivilin's Bat Stays Hot at Tuscaloosa Regional

Torrence, Bats Lift Alabama Softball Past Middle Tennessee State 12-5

How to Watch: Alabama Baseball at the 2023 SEC Tournament