Alabama

Alabama takes down No. 3 Tennessee 1-0 in series finale to avoid sweep: Observations, takeaways

Published

2 years ago

April 28, 2024

Alabama takes down No. 3 Tennessee 1-0 in series finale to avoid sweep: Observations, takeaways

Kayla Beaver held Tennessee to a season-low two hits and zero runs as Alabama softball avoided the series sweep vs. No. 3 Tennessee, winning the series finale 1-0.

With the win, Alabama was able to avoid being swept in conference play for the first time since 2013. The Crimson Tide dropped the series opener on Friday night by a score of 5-0 followed by a 2-0 loss on Saturday, before bouncing back and taking the series finale.

Here are takeaways and observations from Alabama softball’s (32-14, 9-12 SEC) series vs. Tennessee (37-9, 16-5 SEC):

Alabama softball vs. Tennessee pitching staff

Tennessee’s pitching staff ranks first in the country with a 1.33 ERA. Individually, Lady Vols pitchers Payton Gottshall (1.07 ERA) and Karlyn Pickens (1.12) each rank within the top-10 in the country in individual ERA.

Alabama faced Gottshall in the series opener and finale. In the series opener, Gottshall held Alabama scoreless and allowed three hits across 7.0 innings, one hit apiece by Kali Heivilin, Kristen White and Bailey Dowling. In the series finale, Gottshall allowed four Alabama hits — two from Kenleigh Cahalan one from White and Lauren Esman — and one run across 4⅔ innings pitched.

On Saturday, Pickens started in the circle for the Lady Vols and held Alabama scoreless and to a season-low one hit. Its the second time with one hit this season, the first time coming in a 2-0 loss vs. Florida on March 9. Kristen White got the lone hit for the Crimson Tide, coming off of a sixth inning bunt single to break the possible no-hitter, which would have been Alabama’s first no-hit loss since April 20, 2004.

Freshman pitcher Jocelyn Briski throws second-straight complete game

Jocelyn Briski started in the circle for Alabama on Saturday in her third SEC start. It was another strong performance from the freshman after her outing vs. Arkansas last week, allowing just one earned run for the second-straight game over seven innings pitched. It was also her fourth complete game of the season in her eighth career start.

Tennessee’s first run on Saturday was unearned, coming from a two-out RBI single in the second inning. Its second run came from a solo home run in the fourth inning. Briski also struck out two batters and did not allow a walk.

“Jocelyn Briski gave us a great start,’ coach Patrick Murphy said after Saturday’s game. “She has been excellent over the past few weeks and she gave us a good enough start to win the game tonight.”

Briski has begun to emerge as the No. 2 pitcher on the Alabama staff, alongside ace pitcher Kayla Beaver. Over the last two conference series, Beaver has gotten the start in the series opener and finale, with Briski starting in the second game of the series.

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2024 SCHEDULE: Alabama softball schedule 2024: Here’s a list of every game with dates, times and locations

27 scoreless innings drought ends in series finale

Prior to Sunday’s fifth inning run, the Crimson Tide had been held scoreless for 27-straight innings, its last run dating back to their April 20 contest at Arkansas which they won 5-1.

Kristen White broke the Crimson Tide’s scoreless drought in the series finale with an RBI single that brought home Kenleigh Cahalan, who had reached base on a two-out triple. It was White’s second RBI of the year, and she finished the game 2-for-3 from the plate for the Crimson Tide.

“I’m glad that I could get the job done in that moment” White said after Sunday’s game. “There was not a doubt in my mind that I could get it done for my team, so I am glad that I did.”

What’s next?

Alabama closes out regular season play next week in a three-game conference series at Auburn, with the series starting on Thursday and ending Saturday. The SEC softball tournament is slated for the week after next, going May 7-11 in Auburn.

Anna Snyder covers high school sports and University of Alabama softball and football recruiting for The Tuscaloosa News. Reach her at asnyder@gannett.com. Follow her on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, @annaesnyder2

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Alabama

Governor Ivey Approves Request for Alabama National Guard to Support America 250 Events in Nation’s Capital –

Published

3 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Press Room

Governor Ivey Approves Request for Alabama National Guard to Support America 250 Events in Nation’s Capital –

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday announced she approved a request for the Alabama National Guard (ALNG) to support operations surrounding the America 250 events in Washington, D.C.

“One month from today, our nation will mark 250 years of freedom. Without hesitation, the Alabama National Guard is proud to support Freedom 250 events,” said Governor Ivey. “We live in the greatest state in the greatest nation on Earth, and I thank these Alabama patriots for answering the call to serve their country.”

As the nation prepares to mark the 250^th anniversary of American independence, 150 Soldiers from the 123^rd Quartermaster Company in Arab, Alabama will assist with support operations connected to major public events in Washington, D.C. These Guardsmen will work alongside the D.C. National Guard and civil servants throughout the U.S. National Capital Region in coordination with the National Guard Bureau.

“From the founding of our country to the freedoms we are still blessed to defend today, America’s 250^th anniversary is a powerful reminder of the service and sacrifice that make greatness possible,” said ALNG Adjutant General Maj. Gen. David Pritchett. “The Alabama National Guard is a proud part of that history and tradition, and we are honored to support all the people of the United States as our nation marks this monumental milestone.”

Alabama’s Soldiers are expected to arrive in Washington, D.C. before July 4 activities and serve a 90-day rotation.

Since 1807, the ALNG has served the state and nation in a dual-role: Defending against American enemies in combat and supporting civil authorities during national-level events and emergency response missions across the state and nation.

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Alabama

Alabama Baseball Host St Johns For A Trip To The World Series

Published

13 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Press Room

Alabama Baseball Host St Johns For A Trip To The World Series

The Alabama Crimson Tide will host the St Johns Red Storm this weekend with a trip to Omaha for the College World Series on the line. The Tide swept through the Tuscaloosa Regional to advance while the Red Storm worked their way through the Tallahassee Regional as a four seed, beating host Florida State twice. The Super’s are a best 2-3 series and the teams will play Saturday at 8 p.m. CT, Sunday at 2 p.m. CT, and at to be determined time in the if necessary game on Monday. The Tide will host a Super Regional for the first time since 2006 and will playing to reach the College World Series for the first time since 1997. The Johnnies have a long baseball history, having been to six College World Series and have 28 Regional appearances. SJU last reached Omaha in 1980. Alabama has a record of 40-19 while St Johns is 36-24 after starting the season 1-10.

St Johns is on an eight game winning streak after sweeping through the Big East Tournament and the Tallahassee Regional. The Storm carries a team batting average of .282 with a .420 slugging percentage, a .380 on base percentage with 54 home runs, 102 doubles, have stolen 92 bases in 120 attempts, 272 walks, 69 hit batters, with 414 strikeouts. Defensively SJU has committed only 49 errors for a .978 fielding percentage.

Individual Offense Leaders:

*Jayder Raifstanger- third baseman-.336 average, 16 doubles, 5 triples, 49 RBI

*Jon LeGrande-centerfield-.329 average, 6 home runs, 45 RBI, 14 doubles, 27-40 stolen bases

*Shaun McMillian-first baseman-.318 average, 10 home runs, 43 RBI, 10 doubles

*Lewis Rodriguez-left fielder-.303 average, 16 stolen bases

*Adam Agresti-catcher-.290 average, 14 doubles, 19 home runs, 54 RBI, .621 slugging percentage, 9-9 stolen bases

On the mound the Red Storm has an ERA of 5.36 over 527 innings pitched and have allowed 546 hits and a batting average of .268 against. The staff has 433 strikeouts against 241 walks.

Individual Pitching Leaders:

*Liam O’Leary-RHP-16 starts 8-4, 3.25 ERA, 105 innings, 95 hits allowed, .240 average against, 28 walks, 74 strikeouts

*Evan Chaffee-LHP- Alabama transfer- 16 starts, 8-4, 4.85 ERA, 81.1 innings, 88 hits allowed, .276 average against, 32 walks, 83 strikeouts

*Ian Mowart-RHP- 15 games, 11 starts, 2-5 5.36 ERA, 50 innings, 56 hits, .283 average against, 21 walks, 34 strikeouts

*Jack Nestler- RHP- 19 games, 2-0, 2 saves, 3.06 ERA, 47 innings, 40 hits allowed, .227 average against, 20 walks, 35 strikeouts

*Evan Hoeckele-RHP-19 games, 2 starts, 4-0, 7 saves, 3.26 ERA, 38.2 innings, 33 hits allowed, .236 average against, 11 walks, 42 strikeouts

St Johns is on a roll, and can’t be taken lightly. However the Tide is a favorite in the series for a reason, and should be able to take care of business and earn that long awaited return to the Mecca of college baseball in Omaha. We will look at Alabama’s leaders on tomorrow.

Bama Baseball Fever, Catch It!

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Alabama

Is Tommy Tuberville an Alabama resident? GOP candidate challenges status

Published

23 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Press Room

Is Tommy Tuberville an Alabama resident? GOP candidate challenges status

The Alabama Republican Party will hold a hearing on June 14 on a challenge questioning whether U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville meets the state’s constitutional residency requirement to run for governor.

The challenge comes from former GOP primary candidate Ken McFeeters, who argues Tuberville has not been a resident of Alabama long enough under state law.

McFeeters said he was notified Monday that the Alabama GOP steering committee will take up his residency at an upcoming hearing.

He has filed multiple challenges and a lawsuit contesting Tuberville’s eligibility, all focused on whether the senator meets Alabama’s seven-year residency requirement for governor.

Alabama Constitutional Residency Requirement for Governor

Under the Alabama Constitution, candidates for governor must be at least 30 years old, U.S. citizens for at least 10 years and residents of the state for at least seven years immediately before the election.

The dispute centers on whether Tuberville has maintained continuous Alabama residency under that standard.

Tommy Tuberville’s Campaign response

Tuberville, a former Auburn University football coach who moved to Alabama in 1999, has said he meets all eligibility requirements.

His campaign has released redacted federal tax returns covering multiple years in response to McFeeters’ claims.

Campaign chair Jordan Doufexis said the evidence will show Tuberville has long met the state’s residency threshold.

“We will submit a comprehensive response… demonstrating that he is a resident citizen of Alabama,” Doufexis said, adding the campaign is confident in its legal position.

Questions about Florida ties and past records

Tuberville’s residency has faced scrutiny for years, including reports citing ties outside Alabama.

Those reports have referenced a Florida driver’s license that remained active until 2023 and voting activity in Florida in 2018. Tuberville has pointed to Alabama property records and a homestead exemption tied to his family as evidence of residency.

McFeeters has also cited travel and expense records he says show Tuberville frequently traveled outside Alabama during the period in question.

The Alabama GOP previously rejected McFeeters’ residency challenge in February, allowing Tuberville to remain on the ballot.

Tuberville went on to win the Republican primary on May 19 with about 85% of the vote, easily defeating McFeeters and other challengers.

What happens if Tuberville is found ineligible?

If the committee were to rule against Tuberville, McFeeters could potentially become the Republican nominee for governor in the November general election.

He would then face Democratic nominee Doug Jones.

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter in Alabama for USA TODAY’s Deep South Connect Team. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@usatodayco.com.

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