No. 1 Alabama is one win away from returning to the Women’s College World Series after defeating No. 16 LSU 7-0 in Game 1 of the Tuscaloosa Super Regional.
Why it matters: Alabama's victory puts them on the brink of advancing to the World Series, with a strong performance needed today against LSU to seal the deal.
Alabama has not lost a game in the NCAA tournament this year, boasting a perfect record of 4-0 so far.
The Crimson Tide's win in Game 1 was their most dominant Super Regional victory since 2019.
A win today would mark Alabama's 12th Super Regional opener victory, with a strong history of success following such wins.
Driving the news: Game 2 between Alabama and LSU is set for 2 p.m. CT on May 23, 2026, but weather delays have already impacted the schedule.
The game experienced multiple delays due to rain and lightning, with the match paused at the bottom of the fourth inning when Alabama led 4-1.
Fans can watch the game on ESPN, with streaming options available via FuboTV and ESPN+.
Alabama is the designated visiting team today, batting first at Rhoads Stadium.
State of play: Alabama is looking to build on their Game 1 performance, which featured a complete game shutout from pitcher Jocelyn Briski.
Briski struck out 11 batters and allowed only one hit, retiring the last 21 batters she faced.
Jena Young had a standout game with two hits and three RBIs, including a three-run double in the fourth inning.
Alexis Pupillo contributed significantly with her 18th home run of the season, tying her for seventh place on Alabama’s single-season records.
The big picture: Alabama, with a season record of 53-7, is aiming for its 13th appearance in the Women’s College World Series.
The team has been dominant throughout the season, losing fewer than ten games and not conceding any runs during the Tuscaloosa regional.
LSU, with a record of 40-18, needs a win to keep their season alive after falling to Alabama in Game 1.
The Tigers have shown resilience, winning their regional with a perfect 3-0 record.
What they're saying: Coach Patrick Murphy praised his team's performance and the crowd support at Rhoads Stadium.
"Thank God for the weather, number one. We got it in and it turned out to be a really pretty night," Murphy said.
He acknowledged the efforts of the grounds crew and highlighted Briski's exceptional pitching.
Murphy also noted that it was impressive to see a leadoff double followed by 21 straight outs.
By the numbers: The statistics from Game 1 showcase Alabama's offensive and defensive prowess.
Alabama recorded 10 hits compared to LSU's one hit in the shutout.
Briski’s complete game shutout was her fifth of the season, contributing to Alabama's current shutout streak of 27.0 innings.
The seven runs scored by Alabama were the most in a Super Regional game since they defeated Texas 8-5 in 2019.
Between the lines: Alabama's lineup is stacked with talent, and their recent performances highlight their potential.
Young and Audrey Vandagriff have both been key contributors, with seven hits each in the NCAA Tournament.
Brooke Wells, Alabama's best hitter, is expected to play a major role in today’s game.
LSU will need to counter with strong performances from players like Tori Edwards, who leads the team in home runs and RBIs.
What's next: The outcome of today's game will determine if Alabama returns to the World Series.
If Alabama wins, they will advance to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series.
A loss for LSU means the end of their season, making today's game a must-win for the Tigers.
The game is set to resume at 2 p.m. CT, pending any additional weather interruptions.