Live Updates: Tuscaloosa Regional, LIU at Alabama Softball

The No. 5-Seeded Crimson Tide opens play in the NCAA Tournament, with Middle Tennessee State also playing Central Arkansas on Day 1.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — They say there's no place like home, and in college softball there's no place like the Rhoads House, which will again play postseason host to the NCAA Tournament 

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. The winner will advance to Super Regionals next weekend and face the winner of the Evanston Regional featuring No. 12 Northwestern, Kentucky, Miami (OH) and Eastern Illinois.

Check here for all Friday updates, including any problems with the weather.

Tuscaloosa Regional Schedule 

• Friday's games
• 3:30 p.m.: Central Arkansas vs. Middle Tennessee, ESPN+
• 6 p.m.: Alabama vs. LIU, 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: With or Without Montana Fouts, Alabama Softball has a lot to Prove in Regional