TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama State showed early fight behind home runs from Miguel Oropeza and Trey Callaway, but No. 7 national seed Alabama broke the game open in the middle innings and rolled to a 21-3 win over the Hornets Friday night in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The Crimson Tide scored in six of their eight offensive innings, using a six-run fourth, three-run fifth, six-run sixth and three-run seventh to send Alabama State into Saturday’s elimination game.
Scoring Summary
Bottom 1st — Alabama 1, Alabama State 0
Bryce Fowler opened the Alabama offense with a triple to center field, and Justin Lebron followed with a sacrifice fly to score Fowler and give the Crimson Tide the early lead.
Bottom 2nd — Alabama 3, Alabama State 0
After John Lemm reached on an Alabama State error, Eric Hines replaced him on a fielder’s choice. Luke Vaughn then hit a two-run home run to left field, with both runs unearned, to extend Alabama’s lead to 3-0.
Top 3rd — Alabama 3, Alabama State 2
Alabama State answered with its biggest swing of the night. Breydon Divine drew a two-out walk, and Miguel Oropeza followed with a two-run home run to left center, pulling the Hornets within one run.
Bottom 4th — Alabama 9, Alabama State 2
The game shifted in the fourth. Brennan Holt reached on a bunt single and advanced on an error, then Vaughn singled him home. Fowler added an RBI single, Brady Neal doubled in Fowler, Neal scored on a wild pitch, and Hines delivered a two-run single to bring home Lemm and Jason Torres. Alabama scored six in the inning.
Bottom 5th — Alabama 12, Alabama State 2
Vaughn and Fowler reached ahead of Lebron, who hit a three-run home run to left field.
Top 6th — Alabama 12, Alabama State 3
Trey Callaway gave ASU its second home run of the game with a solo shot to left field.
Bottom 6th — Alabama 18, Alabama State 3
Alabama put together another six-run inning. Lemm walked, Hines was hit by a pitch, and Holt singled in Lemm. A wild pitch scored Hines, Peyton Steele’s groundout scored Holt, Fowler hit a two-run homer, and Neal followed with a solo home run down the right-field line.
Bottom 7th — Alabama 21, Alabama State 3
The Crimson Tide added three more runs. Andrew Purdy lifted a sacrifice fly to score Lemm, and Evan Taylor doubled down the left-field line to bring home JoJo Williamson and Justin Osterhouse.
Alabama State Leaders
- Miguel Oropeza: 2-for-3, home run, two RBI, one run scored and one hit-by-pitch.
- Trey Callaway: 2-for-4, solo home run, one RBI and one run scored.
- Breydon Divine: 1-for-2 with two walks and one run scored.
- Jackson Williams: 1-for-4.
- Caleb Sanders: Worked a scoreless eighth inning with two strikeouts.
- Jorhan LaBoy: Took the loss, allowing seven runs, five earned, on seven hits over 3.2 innings.
Team Comparison
- Hits: Alabama 15, Alabama State 6.
- Errors: Alabama State 4, Alabama 1.
- Home runs: Alabama 4, Alabama State 2.
- Extra-base hits: Alabama had seven extra-base hits, including four home runs, two doubles and one triple. Alabama State’s two extra-base hits were both home runs.
- Strikeouts: Alabama pitchers struck out 14 Hornets. Alabama State pitchers struck out seven Crimson Tide hitters.
- Walks issued: Alabama State issued eight walks, while Alabama issued two.
- Hit batters: Alabama State hit three batters. Alabama hit two.
- Left on base: Both teams left seven runners on base.
- Pitching totals: Alabama State used seven pitchers and threw 203 pitches. Alabama used four pitchers and threw 150 pitches.
Wrap Up
Alabama State’s offense had moments, especially with Oropeza and Callaway leaving the yard, but the Hornets could not survive the combination of free passes, defensive miscues and Alabama’s power surge. The Crimson Tide scored 18 of its 21 runs from the fourth through seventh innings, and Alabama State’s four errors helped extend opportunities for one of the most complete teams in the field.
The loss moves Alabama State into the elimination bracket, where the Hornets will need to regroup quickly. ASU has already proven it can win tournament baseball after sweeping through the SWAC Tournament, but the margin for error is now gone. The Hornets must win Saturday to keep their season alive.
Next Up: Alabama State vs. Oklahoma State
Alabama State will face Oklahoma State on Saturday, May 30, at 1 p.m. CT in an elimination game at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Oklahoma State enters the matchup at 37-21 after dropping its opener to USC Upstate, 8-5. The Cowboys trailed 4-0 after the top of the second, tied the game in the bottom half on an Evan Saunders RBI single and Remo Indomenico three-run home run, but USC Upstate retook control and added two insurance runs in the eighth.
The Cowboys finished with nine hits, seven walks and 13 runners left on base against USC Upstate. Indomenico went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI, while Garrett Shull went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and two walks. However, Oklahoma State also committed three errors, and its biggest bat, Kollin Ritchie, went 0-for-5.
Pitching usage will be a key storyline. Oklahoma State used only two pitchers Friday, but both carried heavy workloads. Ethan Lund threw 76 pitches in 2.2 innings, while Stormy Rhodes threw 89 pitches over 6.1 innings. Alabama State used seven pitchers against Alabama, so the Hornets will also have to manage availability carefully.
For Alabama State to extend its season, the formula is clear: throw strikes, clean up the defense and get traffic on the bases in front of Oropeza, Callaway and the middle of the order. Oklahoma State brings major power, but the Cowboys showed Friday that they can give opponents opportunities with walks, stranded runners and defensive mistakes. ASU must turn those openings into early runs and force Oklahoma State to play under elimination-game pressure.