Big South Conference

USC Upstate's Historic Season Ends in Regional Final against Alabama

5/17/2026 7:48:07 PM

By USC Upstate Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Taking the field on the National Stage in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional Final for the first time in program history, USC Upstate Softball battled in a rematch against the National No. 1 seed, University of Alabama with a ticket to NCAA Regionals on the line where the Crimson Tide halted the Spartans' run in a 9-0 final. 

The Spartans made quick work in the top of the first with a three up, three down inning heading into the bottom of the inning. The Crimson Tide followed with halting the fiery Spartans offense in the bottom half while not allowing a runner on base. Alabama entered the top of the second with a leadoff walk and sacrifice bunt to move a runner in scoring position. The Crimson Tide followed entering the scoring column with a two-run homer to left field to lead 2-0. Alabama rode the momentum not allowing a runner to get on base through the next three innings while building their lead to six at the top of the sixth. Mackenzei Bernal-Mahagan added the lone hit for Upstate and advanced her way to third from a sacrifice bunt along with a groundout. Alabama avoided a run to be scored from Upstate and tacked three more runs from an RBI single and two-run homer. Needing three outs, Alabama corralled the final three to surpass the Spartans and advance to Super Regionals. 

Notables 

• The Spartans finished the season with their second consecutive year with 500+ hits for a total of 525 on the year, including three Spartans with over 60+ hits and one with 80. (Carson Shaw, Ella Christopher, Alyssa Davenport with 60+, Taliyah Thomas with 80. 

• Upstate finished with the most doubles since the 2022 season (85) with a total of 105, including five Spartans in double digits (Abby Polk, Ella Christopher, Taliyah Thomas, Alyssa Davenport, Laney Jennings). 

• Five Seniors for the Spartans have concluded their collegiate career in the historic run including four of five (Drerup, Shaw, Johnson, Thomas) who made their first and last appearance at NCAA Regionals both in Tuscaloosa (2024 & 2026). The Seniors are Ella Christopher, Maddie Drerup, Carson Shaw, Amie Johnson, Taliyah Thomas. 

The Spartans have concluded the 2026 season with 38-23 (12-6 Big South) with notable highlights including a three-peat as the Big South Champions, first Big South team since 2018 to advance to the NCAA Regional Final, and eliminating the No. 2 and No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional.