USC Upstate Falls to Alabama in NCAA Opener, 8-0
By USC Upstate Athletics
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Taking the field at the Rhoads Stadium for the first time since May 18, 2024, USC Upstate Softball opened play at the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional against the National No. 1 seed, University of Alabama where the Crimson Tide used a hot second inning to move past the Spartans with a 8-0 final in run rule fashion.
Opening the first inning, both teams were held scoreless with three up, three down innings including Maddie Drerup striking out a batter. As the Spartans added their first runner on base from a full count walk, Alabama left a runner stranded after a pop-up to left field. The Crimson Tide began to find their rhythm offensively with a solo homer to open the scoring column. Following a base hit in the infield, Alabama added another run as Maddie Drerup made a diving effort to tag out the runner advancing home. Alabama added four more runs from a two-RBI single and two-RBI double to lead 6-0 after two.
Abby Polk added Upstate's first hit and a sacrifice bunt from Amie Johnson moved Polk to second. Taliyah Thomas followed with an infield single to move to first and advance Polk to third. Upstate looked to add their first run with infield trickery, but the Tide grabbed the third out to keep the Spartans scoreless. Alabama tacked on their second homer of the game with a solo shot to left field. Upstate escaped the inning, only giving up a run as Drerup added her second strikeout in the circle. A leadoff walk from Carson Shaw and a base hit from Ella Christopher added two runners in scoring position.
Alabama escaped the inning, leaving two runners stranded tacked their eighth run at the bottom of the inning. With one last shot, Amie Johnson added the Spartans' fourth hit, but the Crimson Tide closed out the Spartans in five innings.
Notables
Up next for the Spartans
Following the results on Day One of the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional, Upstate Softball will battle Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday, May 16 in the Elimination Bracket at 4:30 P.M. Eastern Time at the Rhoads Stadium. The winner will have a quick turnaround on Saturday and battle the loser of the Belmont/Alabama game at 7:00 P.M.