One of the most accomplished runs in program history has come to an end for Alabama baseball.
A squad with its first 40-plus win regular season since 2002 and denied the national seed it felt it deserved, the No. 2 seed Crimson Tide entered the NCAA Regional at Hattiesburg scorned. Facing elimination, Alabama (41-18) met host Southern Miss, which clinched the No. 16 overall seed with an RPI of 19 versus a 13 RPI for UA, and proved it was worthy of hosting with a 6-5 comeback win on Saturday.
Southern Miss (45-15) plated three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning after closer Carson Ozmer entered the game, proving unable to repeat one of the saves that saw him claim the program record for the most in a single-season. Throwing 58 strikes on 87 pitches, starter Tyler Fay posted a dominant performance for UA with three runs allowed on six hits in six innings.
Score updates, game highlights for Alabama baseball vs Southern Miss in NCAA Regional
For the first time all year, Alabama baseball has lost three games in a row.
Despite loading the bases in the top of the ninth, finding itself in a situation similar to the one it was in during the final frames against Miami, Brady Neal, Kade Snell and Richie Bonomolo Jr. were left standing as USM’s Seth Smith tagged Bryce Fowler on the right fielder’s way to third base to end the Crimson Tide’s season.
Tucker Stockman was waiting for the slider from Carson Ozmer, and he got it about a ball and a half off the plate. Stockman singled to right center and brought Joey Urban and Ben Higdon home after the two got on base with a base-on-balls and a fielder’s choice, respectively, giving Southern Miss a 6-5 lead and taking Alabama’s season to its final three outs.
It’s a one-run game in Hattiesburg for Alabama and Southern Miss after Golden Eagles second baseman Nick Monistere hit the sixth home run of the day. Making his second appearance against USM this season, Carson Ozmer is coming in for reliever Braylon Myers, who allowed one earned run on one hit and a walk in one inning.
Fowler homered to put the No. 2 seed back in front heading into the bottom of the seventh. Brady Neal came home on the tie-breaker after getting on with a two-out base-hit.
First-rounder JB Middleton, who has only given up five runs one other time in 2025, has given up a season-high home runs in a game to the Crimson Tide.
Will Hodo reclaimed the lead for Alabama baseball with a two-run bomb, but Southern Miss’ Ben Higdon hammered a fastball through centerfield for a home run of his own to tie the game up at 3-3.
Monistere answered for Southern Miss, up 2-1, with a two-run homer to score a single up the middle by Ozzie Pratt. Alabama kept it a one-run game and forced the Golden Eagles to leave one on after starting pitcher Tyler Fay registered his second strikeout of the day to end the third inning.
On the first pitch he saw from Southern Miss, designated hitter Will Plattner sent a 102 mph blast off the bat to put Alabama on the board with a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning. The junior’s first homer of the season couldn’t have come at a more clutch time for the Crimson Tide.
USM designated hitter Joey Urban notched the first hit of the day against Fay, but the Crimson Tide defense got out of the second inning unscathed in a scoreless showdown so far.
Kade Snell waited for the big hop in left field to make the final out, but missed the ball when he went down to scoop it up, seeing Urban advance to the hot corner. Fowler saved Southern Miss from capitalizing on the momentum catching a flyout in right field to end the inning.
Here’s a look at the starting lineup for the Crimson Tide.
This is how Southern Miss is lining up in the do-or-die showdown.
What time does Alabama vs. Southern Miss start in NCAA baseball tournament?
- Date: Saturday, May 31
- Time: 2 p.m. CT
- Where: Pete Taylor Park, Hattiesburg, Miss.
What TV channel is Alabama baseball vs. Southern Miss on today?
Probable starting pitchers for Alabama baseball vs. Southern Miss
After using Riley Quick for six innings against Miami, Tyler Fay has been determined as the Crimson Tide’s starting arm for Saturday’s game.
Southern Miss is expected to start JB Middleton (2.01 ERA). He has a .38 WHIP and has given up three runs or more just four times in 15 appearances, allowing just five homers all season.
2025 NCAA baseball schedule for Hattiesburg Regional
Friday, May 30
- Game 1: Miami 5, Alabama 3
- Game 2: Columbia 11, Southern Miss 4
Saturday, May 31
- Game 3: No. 2 seed Alabama vs. No. 1 seed Southern Miss, (elimination game) − 2 p.m. on ESPN2 (Watch on FUBO)
- Game 4: No. 3 seed Miami vs. No. 4 seed Columbia, 8 p.m. CT on ACCN (Watch on ESPN+)
Sunday, June 1
- Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, TBA on TBD (elimination game)
- Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA on TBD
Monday, June 2
- Game 7: Regional championship game (if necessary), TBA on TBD
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
