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How Tennessee softball celebrated Sage Mardjetko after one-hitter vs Alabama

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How Tennessee softball celebrated Sage Mardjetko after one-hitter vs Alabama


Tennessee softball coach Karen Weekly ran up to Sage Mardjetko and sneaked in a kiss on her cheek as the junior pitcher’s postgame interview on ESPN2 began.

Mardjetko only got through the beginning of her first answer before her teammates ran up with fake money and gloves, stuffing the fake bills in her belt with the glove on top of her head.

At one point, there were six teammates dressing up Mardjetko after her fantastic performance against No. 3 Alabama, including fellow pitcher Karlyn Pickens and outfielder Gabby Leach, who hit the game-winning home run. Other players joined in to throw bills in the air around Mardjetko.

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The moment on April 26 belonged to Mardjetko, who delivered the Crimson Tide their first shutout loss of the season as No. 8 Tennessee won 2-0 at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

By the time Mardjetko’s interview was over, there were three gloves sitting precariously on her head, bills stuffed in her collar, too, and bats leaning against her legs, with one stuck in the crook of her elbow.

“Usually this is our home run celebration,” Mardjetko said on ESPN2. “My teammates are just super fired-up, they know how big this game is and how big this series is.”

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The Lady Vols’ famous mommy hat also got stacked on top of the gloves before falling off. Leach said they love getting the chance to have some fun with postgame interviews.

“That was just such a big moment for her and just being able to celebrate and make her look goofy, giving her the money and the mommy hat, she never gets to wear that,” Leach said. “So that was the perfect moment for her to have that hat on.”

Tennessee (39-8, 13-7 SEC) relied on solo home runs from Leach and Emma Clarke to back up Mardjetko’s one-hitter and force a rubber match on April 27 (7 p.m. ET, SEC Network).

“Sage is a competitor. She’s going to give you everything she has,” Weekly said. “She’s going to compete freely, she’s going to stay one pitch at a time, and she’s got the stuff to beat anybody. So, I had complete trust in Sage all day long, and the most important number today is a zero on the scoreboard.”

Mardjetko (11-1) had a no-hitter through 6⅓ innings. She struck out six, walked three, hit a batter and allowed one hit in her fifth shutout of the season. After Tennessee got run-ruled in the series opener, Mardjetko said her mentality was to go out and compete and do whatever it took to give them a chance.

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Weekly didn’t witness most of the postgame interview chaos; she only saw players running toward Mardjetko with the money, gloves and bats. But she wants them to celebrate, and not just the turnaround from a 12-0 loss in Game 1. Weekly wants them to celebrate everything.

“I think that’s one of the things that we got away from, is focusing on celebrating all the little wins in a game,” she said. “I think that’s what you saw, is the ultimate celebration there. And just so happy for Sage. But also Sage really inspired her team today with the way she competed out there.”

Cora Hall is the University of Tennessee women’s athletics reporter for Knox News. Email: cora.hall@knoxnews.com; X: @corahalllBluesky: @corahall.bsky.social‬. Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks:knoxnews.com/subscribe





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Alabama

Best barbecue in Alabama? Tasting Table picks Tuscaloosa favorite

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Best barbecue in Alabama? Tasting Table picks Tuscaloosa favorite


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Ribs kissed by hickory smoke, tender pulled pork and a sauce recipe passed down for generations have helped Archibald & Woodrow’s Barbeque become one of Alabama’s most celebrated barbeque destinations.

Tasting Table named the family-run restaurant the best barbecue spot in the state.

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Here’s what to know about the Alabama restaurant worth adding to your must-try list.

Best barbecue in Alabama

Since Archibald & Woodrow’s Barbeque opened its doors in 1962, three generations have carried on the tradition of slow-cooked barbecue, turning a small mom-and-pop operation into a nationally recognized name.

Tasting Table says that while Alabama is known for its white Alabama BBQ sauce, there’s no sauce required for the pork ribs served up at Archibald’s.

Archibald’s has gained attention from Good Morning America, Southern Living and The New York Times.

What’s on the menu? 

The restaurant’s menu centers on classic Alabama barbecue, with hickory-smoked ribs and pulled pork leading the way.

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Diners can order everything from full slabs of ribs and pork sandwiches to half chickens, jumbo hot wings and barbecue platters all served with sauce and bread.

The restaurant offers Southern comfort food beyond barbecue, including fried catfish, whiting, chicken tenders and country dinners featuring dishes like country-fried steak and pork chops.

There are plenty of side dish options, including macaroni and cheese and fried green tomatoes, to liven up any meal. To finish the meal, guests can choose from banana pudding or pound cake.

A legendary Alabama connection

Over the decades, Archibald & Woodrow’s Barbeque has attracted plenty of devoted fans, including one of Alabama’s most iconic figures.

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Local lore says legendary Crimson Tide football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant was among the restaurant’s early customers, with stories of him stopping by for a taste of the barbecue and hot wings while wearing his trademark houndstooth hat.

Location and hours

  • Where:
    • Northport- 1211 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
    • Tuscaloosa- 4215 Greensboro Ave
  • Hours:
    • Northport: Monday- Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed on Sunday
    • Tuscaloosa: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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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70-year-old Alabama man convicted in Pensacola in online child enticement sting

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70-year-old Alabama man convicted in Pensacola in online child enticement sting


PENSACOLA, Fla. — A 70-year-old Robertsdale, Alabama, man was found guilty by a federal jury in Pensacola after prosecutors said he tried to entice a child online and then traveled to meet the child for sex in Pensacola.

David A. Girard was convicted in federal court of attempted enticement of a minor, traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of illicit sexual conduct, and committing a felony involving a minor while being a registered sex offender, according to the release.

The release states that Evidence at trial showed that in October 2025, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other law enforcement partners conducted an undercover operation aimed at identifying people soliciting minors online for sex.

On Oct. 17, 2025, Girard began communicating with someone he believed was a 14-year-old child, according to trial evidence.

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Prosecutors said he described sexual acts he wanted to perform and arranged a meeting location in Pensacola.

When Girard traveled to the agreed-upon location to meet the purported child, he was arrested, according to the release.

Electronic evidence seized under a search warrant confirmed Girard had communicated with the person he believed was a child and traveled to meet him, according to trial evidence.

Girard faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life in prison on Count 1, and up to 30 years in prison on Count 2.

He also faces a mandatory 10-year prison term on Count 3, consecutive to any sentence imposed on Count 1.

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The investigation involved the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Florida Highway Patrol, and the U.S. Marshals Service.



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Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo kicks off on Dauphin Island

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Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo kicks off on Dauphin Island


DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. (WALA) – The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo begins Friday morning on Dauphin Island, following a kickoff party Thursday night that featured the Captain T-Bone’s Liar’s Contest.

Rodeo contestants, their families and others attended the event, where participants competed to tell their best fish tales.

Cody Ward, vice president of publicity for the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, said the stories are always a highlight.

“I don’t like to speculate too much on the lies, there are a lot of them, they come and go, and they are great all the time,” Ward said. “Make sure you’re out here, check them out, support these people, they love to do this and we love to hear their fish tales.”

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Mike Eubanks has been fishing in the rodeo since 1982. He’s been to the liars contest many times and says he’s heard some great ones over the years.

“They can come up with some good ones. I don’t know which one was the craziest but the winner every year deserves it I promise you. Those judges have a hard time because they are some good ones,” Eubanks said.

The rodeo gets underway Friday with a cannon blast at 5 a.m. and runs through the weekend.

Copyright 2026 WALA. All rights reserved.



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