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No. 1 Alabama Punches Ticket to WCWS for 16th Time with Sweep over No. 16 LSU

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No. 1 Alabama Punches Ticket to WCWS for 16th Time with Sweep over No. 16 LSU


TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— A little rain couldn’t dampen Alabama’s party.

Patrick Murphy and the Crimson Tide held a Sweet 16 party inside Rhoads Stadium on Saturday. For the 16th time in Murphy’s 28 seasons as head coach, the Crimson Tide is heading to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series.

Top-ranked Alabama continued its perfect path through the NCAA Tournament, outlasting No. 16 LSU 4-1 after two lengthy rain delays to complete the sweep through the Tuscaloosa Super Regional.

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A Sweet 16 celebration is suiting for a Tide team coming of age at the most crucial time of the year. In its five tournament games, the Alabama has backed up its No. 1 billing, maintaining an unblemished record while out scoring its opponents by a combined 31-1.

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“This team has just been unbelievably selfless,” Murphy said after the win. “They’ve been full of gratitude. They’ve been competitive. They’ve been hard working, gritty. I mean, all the words you love as a coach–– this has been this team. You don’t want to jinx it or whatever because anybody can beat anybody, you guys all know that, and so I’m thrilled as can be that this group gets to go to the Women’s College World Series.

Alabama was able to recalibrate and shut down LSU after two separate rain delays that totaled around four hours. The Tide spent time during the delay eating softball, watching other softball super regionals around the country and playing intense card games.

But when it came time to head back to the field, it was all business.

For the second game in a row, Alexis Pupillo provided the spark plug for the Crimson Tide offense before the first delay. LSU starter Jayden Heavener held Alabama hitless through the first three innings (despite allowing a run on a walk and three wild pitches in the third), but Pupillo broke up the no-hitter with a solo home run to right field to reclaim the lead for Alabama at 2-1 to open the fourth inning.

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The Tide put together a two-out rally later in the frame with three straight hits from Audrey Vandagriff, Ambrey Taylor and Salen Hawkins. Taylor busted out of her hitless streak in the NCAA tournament with a hard double, and Hawkins drove both runners in with a 2-RBI single.

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Hawkins came into the NCAA tournament on a eight-game hitless streak but has three big hits for the Crimson Tid ein each of its last three postseason wins.

“I’m been working my butt off,” Hawkins said. “After practice, I go hit with my dad some more. I just wanted to come through for my team. I just wanted to help contribute in some way and just get some runs on the scoreboard.”

Saturday’s game showed that Alabama’s pitchers aren’t just robots as the Tide gave up its first run of the NCAA tournament on an RBI single from LSU’s Tori Edwards in the bottom of the third. Vic Moten dealt with some traffic on the base paths but stepped up in one of the biggest starts of her young career, only allowing the one run over four innings pitched.

“My intangible for the team is bringing energy,” Moten said. “Whenever I pitch, I want to put us in the best position possible.”

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After the second rain delay, Alabama junior ace Jocelyn Briski came in to close it out over the final three innings. She did not allow a run, striking out five batters.

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LSU didn’t go down without a fight, but behind a raucous Rhoads crowd, the Crimson Tide prevailed. Alabama was picked in the preseason to finish ninth in the SEC and is now headed to Oklahoma City as the top overall seed and one of the favorites to win a national title.

Alabama will face the winner of the Los Angeles Super Regional between No. 8 UCLA and UCF in its opening game at the Women’s College World Series.

This story will be updated.

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Alabama

‘We Will Never Forget’: Police End 40-Day Search for Remains of South Alabama 2-Year-Old

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‘We Will Never Forget’: Police End 40-Day Search for Remains of South Alabama 2-Year-Old


The Enterprise Police Department announced Monday that a 40-day search of the Coffee County Landfill for the remains of 2-year-old Genesis Reid has concluded without locating her remains.

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During a news conference on July 13, the Enterprise Police Department said the search operation, which began May 7, involved federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies, forensic experts, volunteers and support personnel from across Alabama.

According to police, investigators developed evidence that led them to believe Genesis’ mother, Adrienne Reid, murdered Genesis on Christmas night 2025, removed her from an apartment and later disposed of her body. Police said Reid reported Genesis missing 53 days after her death, which investigators said affected the timeline of the investigation.

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Authorities said the landfill search was based on evidence that led investigators to believe Genesis had been placed in a dumpster at the apartment complex. The search continued for 40 working days and included approximately 10 million pounds of landfill material, according to police.

Investigators said teams examined more than 20,000 non-human bones and inspected numerous bags and other materials during the operation. Officials said the search area was reviewed and cleared by experts before landfill operations concluded on July 10.

Police said the search did not locate Genesis’ remains but emphasized that the operation was conducted thoroughly based on the evidence available at the time.

“The landfill search answered one important question,” police said during the news conference. “It strongly indicates that Genesis was not located in the specific area of interest that would have been believed to be associated with landfill operations.”

The department said the investigation will continue, with the focus now shifting toward court proceedings and efforts to seek justice for Genesis.

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Police also expressed appreciation to the agencies, volunteers, local organizations and community members who assisted with the search effort.

“Although our search has concluded, our commitment to Genesis has not,” police said. “We will continue to pursue justice, we will continue to seek the truth, and we will never forget this precious child.”



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One Critically Injured, Self-Defense Possible Motive In Tuscaloosa Gas Station Shooting

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One Critically Injured, Self-Defense Possible Motive In Tuscaloosa Gas Station Shooting


“After interviewing witnesses and processing the scene for physical evidence, initial investigation shows that the shooting may have been in self-defense during a possible robbery attempt,” he said. “Surveillance video from the business corroborates the witness statements. At this time no one has been charged, but the investigation is ongoing”

This is a developing story. Tuscaloosa Patch will have more information as it becomes available.





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The positions Alabama football will continue to recruit in the 2027 recruiting class

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The positions Alabama football will continue to recruit in the 2027 recruiting class




Alabama football’s 2027 recruiting class holds commitments from 13 2027 recruits with summer official visits behind them.

The Crimson Tide holds commitments from two quarterbacks, two running backs, two tight ends, one wide receiver, one offensive lineman, two edges, one defensive lineman, one defensive back and a kicker.

With the Tide expected to add a few more players to this class, here is a look at three positions Alabama will likely continue to recruit 2027 prospects at:

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Wide Receiver

Osani Gayles is currently the only wide receiver verbally committed to the Crimson Tide. Alabama would love to grab a commitment from Monshun Sales later this month, but the Tide is not considered to be the favorite to land the five-star less than a week out from his Friday decision. Alabama recently offered Jalijah Rutledge out of Moody High School. Rutledge is a 2027 wide receiver, and he is committed to App State. Before Rutledge announced his offer, Alabama made a strong push for Cedrick Simmons, who eventually committed to Auburn. The Tide wants to add at least one more wideout to this class to pair with Gayles.

Linebacker

Alabama does not have an inside linebacker commit, but the Tide did make a significant push for several off-the-ball linebackers before they committed to other programs. It would not be a surprise if Alabama makes a push for an inside linebacker committed elsewhere or offers a prospect who puts some good film together and flashes potential to start their senior season. Alabama’s push for a prospect at this position in the 2027 class could be very fluid moving forward.

Safety

Alabama also does not hold a commitment from a safety prospect. The Tide’s only defensive back commit is Darrius White, and he is projected to play cornerback at the next level. The Tide did not go after a long list of safeties in this class, but it did show a lot of interest in Junior Tu’upo out of Thompson High School in Alabama. A continued push for Tu’upo is likely, along with the possibility of the Tide evaluating a safety prospect who impresses them to kick off their senior season.


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