NCAA REGIONAL BASEBALL: Bama unloads on Alabama State in tourney opener
Bryce Fowler slides into third as Fabian Santana waits for the throw in the first inning of Alabama’s 21-3 win over Alabama State in the NCAA Regionals on Friday at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. (Courtesy Unv. Alabama Athletics)
By GRAHAM DUNN
The Alabama State Hornets got a two-run homer from Miguel Oropeza in the top of the third inning to pull his team to within a run.
But it would be as close as the Hornets would get as homestanding Alabama unloaded with 18 runs in the next four innings on the way to a convincing 21-3 win in the opening game of the 2026 NCAA Division I Baseball Tuscaloosa Regional at Sewell-Thomas Stadium on Friday.
The loss put Alabama State in the loser’s bracket game on Saturday against Oklahoma State, an 8-5 loser to USC-Upstate in Friday’s first game.
Bryce Fowler, Justin LeBron, Brady Neal and Luke Vaughn all homered for the Crimson Tide (38-19), which ended a streak of six-straight losses in NCAA Tournament play dating back to the last three seasons.
Bama State got homers from Oropeza and Trey Calloway.
The Southwestern Athletic Conference champions finished the contest with six hits but the Crimson Tide used a 15-hit attack to secure the victory.
Alabama State (34-22) erased an early 3-0 deficit in the top of the third inning. Breydon Divine opened the frame with a single and later scored when Oropeza launched a two-run home run to right field, his 11th homer of the season, cutting Alabama's lead to 3-2.
Alabama answered immediately with a six-run fourth inning to seize control of the contest. The Crimson Tide added three runs in the fifth, six more in the sixth and three in the seventh to build a commanding advantage.
The Hornets added their final run in the sixth inning when Callaway connected on a solo home run, his 17th of the season, trimming the deficit to 12-3 before Alabama responded with another six-run outburst in the bottom half of the inning.
Oropeza paced Alabama State offensively, finishing 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs. Callaway went 2-for-4 with a homer and one RBI, while Divine added a hit and scored a run.
Alabama's offense was led by Fowler, who finished 3-for-4 with four runs scored and three RBIs. Lebron drove in four runs, while Neal collected three hits and two RBIs. Luke Vaughn homered and drove in three runs for the Crimson Tide.
Tyler Fay was the winning pitcher for the Tide going 5.2 innings allowing six hits and all three of the Hornets runs. He struck out eight to pick up his 10th win of the season.
Jorhan LaBoy (9-6) took the loss for Alabama State after allowing seven runs, five earned, on seven hits over 3.2 innings. He struck out two and walked one.
The Hornets used seven different pitchers in the game while Alabama went to its bullpen three times.
The Hornets (38-19) will look to stay alive on Saturday as well as its first-ever win in an NCAA Tourney game. First pitch against the Cowboys is set for 1 p.m.
Alabama will face USC-Upstate in the winner’s bracket. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.