Alabama
50-7
USC Upstate
36-22
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC Upstate | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Alabama | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | X | 8 | 10 | 0 |
Alabama Opens Regional Play with 8-0 Run Rule Shutout over USC Upstate
5/15/2026 2:47:00 PM | Softball
The Crimson Tide will face the winner of Friday’s Southeastern vs. Belmont game Saturday at 1 p.m. CT
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 1 national seed Alabama softball opened the Tuscaloosa Regional with an 8-0 run rule win in five innings over USC Upstate Friday afternoon at Rhoads Stadium. With the win, the Crimson Tide advances into the winner's bracket to face the winner of Friday's Belmont vs. Southeastern game on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT.
Alabama (50-7) jumped ahead over USC Upstate (36-22) with a six-run second inning, sparked by a solo home run from Marlie Giles to get the scoring started. An Audrey Vandagriff solo home run in the third made it 7-0 and Alexis Pupillo put the game in run-rule territory with an RBI single in the fourth. Kaitlyn Pallozzi (9-0) and the Tide defense did their part on the other side of the ball, with Pallozzi throwing her second complete-game shutout of the season.
From Head Coach Patrick Murphy
"I was very pleased with Kaitlyn's performance, being her first time as a freshman in a regional game. One of the deciding factors was how well she pitched the other night against Texas in the SEC Championship. I thought she handled the crowd and the atmosphere and didn't let it get too big for her and I figured she would do what she did today. She's very even-keeled and doesn't get too high or too low. Any time you can throw a shutout I'll take it all day long. I don't care who it's against."
Highlights
- The game was Alabama's 32nd regional shutout and its 20th regional run rule
- With the win, the Crimson Tide reached the 50 win mark for the first time since 2021
- The two home runs improve the team's total this season to 91, tied for third in single-season program history and the first 90+ home run season since 2012
- The shutout was Alabama's 23rd of the year, which is tied for the fifth-most in program history
- Friday marked the 26th game this season hitting two or more home runs
Scoring Summary
- B2 | Marlie Giles hit a solo home run to right center (1-0, 1 Out)
- B2 | Audrey Vandagriff slid under the tag attempt at home on an infield hit from Kristen White (2-0, 2 Out)
- B2 | Brooke Wells drove in two with a bases-loaded single (4-0, 2 Out)
- B2 | Alexis Pupillo sent a double over the left fielder's outstretched glove, driving in two (6-0, 2 Out)
- B3 | Vandagriff hit an opposite field solo homer (7-0, 1 Out)
- B4 | Pupillo hit an RBI single to left (8-0, 2 Out)
Up Next: NCAA Regionals (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
- Saturday, May 16 vs. Southeastern/Belmont – 1 p.m. CT – TV Info TBD
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Pallozzi, Kaitlyn (9-0)
L: DRERUP, Maddie (20-14)
Batting:
SH: JOHNSON, Amie 1
Base Running:
CS: THOMAS, Taliyah 1
Batting:
2B: Pupillo, Alexis 1
HR: Giles, Marlie 1 ; Vandagriff, Audrey 1
RBI: Wells, Brooke 2 ; Pupillo, Alexis 3 ; Giles, Marlie 1 ; Vandagriff, Audrey 1 ; White, Kristen 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Young, Jena 1 ; Wells, Brooke 1 ; Giles, Marlie 1 ; Vandagriff, Audrey 2 ; Hawkins, Salen 1 ; White, Kristen 2
SB: Vandagriff, Audrey 1 ; Hawkins, Salen 1 ; White, Kristen 1
HBP: Hawkins, Salen 1
