TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – On Saturday, May 30, the Alabama Crimson Tide took down the USC Upstate Spartans 7-5 at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
With the win, the Crimson Tide advances to the Tuscaloosa regional final and will await the winner of the elimination game between Oklahoma State and USC Upstate.
Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn talked about what it took to defeat a gritty USC Upstate team.
“USC Upstate was tough as nails,” said Vaughn. “It was a special game and a great team effort. There are three really good teams left in this thing, and the job is far from over.”
Eric Hines and Justin Lebron with home runs
Freshman left fielder Eric Hines broke the game open in the third inning with a three-run home run that made it a 4-0 game. It was Hines’ eighth home run of the season.
Vaughn talked about what he has liked about Hines during his freshman season in Tuscaloosa.
“There is nothing tenative about Eric [Hines],” said Vaughn. “He is just going to get better, and he is going to play on TV one day.”
Justin Lebron joined the home run party later on in the game during the sixth inning. He hit a solo home run into left field for his 16th long ball of the season. That extended Alabama’s lead out to 7-2.
Lebron has hit another gear in the Tuscaloosa regional after a lackluster run through the Southeastern Conference (SEC). In two games this weekend, the star shortstop has four hits, two of which have been home runs, and six RBIs.
Zane Adams delivers a big start on the mound
Zane Adams put together a successful start on the mound for the Crimson Tide. In six innings of work, he allowed two unearned runs and struck out five USC Upstate hitters. Adams threw 103 total pitches and earned his seventh win of the season and his 17th of his career in Tuscaloosa.
Matthew Heiberger replaced Adams on the mound in relief and closed out the final three innings of the game. It was his fifth save of the season.
Up next for Alabama
The Alabama Crimson Tide are now in the Tuscaloosa regional final. They will play the winner of the elimination game between Oklahoma State and USC Upstate at 8 p.m. ET.
WBN NCAA: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
PHOTO: Alabama catcher John Lemm (33) during an NCAA baseball game on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
