Alabama
Michigan vs. Alabama: Players arrive in Bay Area ahead of NYE bowl game
Reliaquest Bowl’s impact on Tampa Bay
FOX 13’s Evyn Moon reports on the impact, both culturally and economically, that the Reliaquest Bowl being played in Tampa Bay is having on the city.
TAMPA, Fla. – Thousands in Tampa Bay will ring in the new year differently: the ReliaQuest Bowl game at Raymond James Stadium at noon on Dec. 31st.
The Michigan Wolverines will face off against the Alabama Crimson Tide, and both teams arrived in Tampa on Thursday night, welcomed by fans.
The Alabama football team arriving in Tampa ahead of the ReliaQuest Bowl.
“These are two marquee teams with great college traditions. We are expecting very good crowds, and the Tampa Bay area is great at hospitality,’ said Greg Orchard, the Board of Directors Chairman for the Reliaquest Bowl. “We are excited to be really entertaining fans, teams, and the administration of both schools that are gonna be here.”
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Fans showed up at the hotels of each team to wish them well as they arrived on Thursday.
“It would be very nice to meet the coach. We are very impressed with him and have been fans forever,” said Tammy and Mark Germain, Michigan fans. “I am so excited. We had no idea they’d be here, and we have never been to a game, so we are going to the game, our first actual game.”
“Although it’s not in the playoffs, I do hope it is a very intense game,” said Marco Pratico, an Alabama fan. “It brings more viewers to Tampa; these two teams were in the Rose Bowl, too, so it’s great to have two high-level teams in Tampa.”
The Michigan football team arriving in Tampa ahead of the ReliaQuest Bowl.
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This will also have a huge economic impact on businesses, hotels, and restaurants, and it is expected to bring in over a billion dollars to the Tampa Bay area.
“It’s a huge deal for Tampa, with the TV exposure — ESPN at noon on New Year’s Eve — and the exposure of fans coming to the Tampa Bay area and seeing that, yes, we are open after the hurricanes we’ve had.”
Both teams will enjoy sunshine-filled festivities before the game next week.
“Well, the teams are here to play football, so there are a few practice sessions, but there will also be a day for them at Busch Gardens and a beach day on Sunday, where thousands of the fans will be at Clearwater Beach, and hopefully they can enjoy warmer weather than Michigan.”
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – 7-seeded Alabama continues NCAA regional action in the Tuscaloosa Regional on Saturday against USC Upstate. The Crimson Tide is coming off a monstrous offensive effort on Friday that saw the team score the most runs in program NCAA Tournament history with 21. The Spartans scored in each of the first four innings to upset Oklahoma State and advance to Saturday’s winner’s bracket game.
Alabama Baseball Regional Tournament Central: Schedule, How to Watch, Bracket Breakdown
Live Updates (Refresh Your Browser For Latest Updates at the Top)
Pregame
- Tonight’s start time has been delayed as we’ve entered a weather delay.
- Alabama vs. USC Upstate will have a first pitch time of 6:23 p.m. CT. The grounds crew is currently tending the field in between matchups.
- 5:13 p.m. CT – Oklahoma State beat Alabama State 8-7 in 11 innings to eliminate the Hornets from the Tuscaloosa Regional. The Cowboys move into tomorrow’s elimination game against the loser of Alabama and USC Upstate on Sunday.
Starting Lineups
USC Upstate
Alabama
How to Watch: 7-Seed Alabama vs. USC Upstate in the Tuscaloosa Regional
Who: 7-seed Alabama (38-19, 18-12 SEC) vs. USC Upstate (34-28, 13-11 Big South Conference)
What: NCAA Regional Game 4
When: Saturday, May 30, 6 p.m. CT
Where: Sewell-Thomas Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
TV: ESPN +
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network. LISTEN LIVE
Series: Alabama and USC Upstate have never played in baseball.
Last Meeting: The Crimson Tide and Spartans have never played in baseball.
Last time out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide used 15 hits, and took advantage of eight walks, four errors, and four wild pitches to beat Alabama State 21-3 in their first NCAA Regional matchup of the weekend. Alabama had four different players hit home runs as the Crimson Tide cruised to an easy win.
Last time out, USC Upstate: The Spartans upset Oklahoma State 8-5 in their first game of the NCAA Regional. USC Upstate struck out 10 batters and scored in each of the first four innings to upset the Cowboys.
Tuscaloosa Regional Information
- Alabama, (37-19)
- Oklahoma State, (37-20)
- USC Upstate, (31-27)
- Alabama State, (31-21)
Friday
- Game 1 – #2 Oklahoma St. (37-20) vs. #3 USC Upstate (33-28), 1 p.m. CT, ESPN+
- Game 2 – #1 Alabama (37-19) vs. #4 Alabama St. (34-21), 6 p.m. CT, SEC Network
Saturday
- Game 3 – Oklahoma State vs. Alabama State – 1 p.m. CT
- Game 4 – USC Upstate vs. Alabama – 6 p.m. CT
Sunday
- Game 5 – Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 – 2 p.m. CT
- Game 6 – Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 – 7 p.m. CT
Monday
Game 7 – IF Necessary – Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 – TBD
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The Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Alabama State Hornets meet in the first game of Saturday’s action at the Tuscaloosa Regional on Saturday.
The Cowboys (37-21) and the Hornets lost their first games of the tournament on Friday. The loser of this game will be eliminated. The winner of this game will advance to another elimination game on Sunday between the loser of the USC Upstate-Alabama game, which follows OSU-ASU
Oklahoma State fans can keep up with the game here, including lineups and inning by inning details on the game. Check out Oklahoma State On SI’s NCAA Tournament Central for everything related to the Tuscaloosa Regional.
Game Details
Oklahoma State vs. Alabama State
Time: 1 p.m. central
TV: ESPN+ (Derek Jones & Jared Mitchell on the call). NOTE: TV is subject to change without notice.
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network & The Varsity Network App/93.7 KSPI-FM or okla.state/GetVarsity (Rex Holt on the call)
OSU Batting Order
The batting order for Saturday’s game will be posted here when it is released by the team.
Xxx
Tuscaloosa Regional
Location: Tuscaloosa, Ala. Venue: Sewell-Thomas Stadium (5,867).
Friday’s Results
Game 1: USC Upstate 8, Oklahoma State 5
Game 2: Alabama 21, Alabama State 3
Saturday’s Games
Game 3: Oklahoma State vs. Alabama State, TBA (elimination game)
Game 4: USC Upstate vs. Alabama, TBA (advances to Sunday’s final)
Sunday’s Games
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 (elimination game)
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5
Monday’s Game
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (if necessary)
(Times subject to change for TV purposes)
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – For those incarcerated in Alabama, there is a path to employment through the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles Re-Entry Program.
The Bureau looks at where someone may live after serving their sentence and starts connecting them with potential employers, while also conducting drug screenings to help ensure employers and communities are getting a safe employee.
“We make sure as they’re moving through our re-entry programs that they’re re-assessed for mental health stability for substance abuse challenges,” said Rebecca Bensema, Assistant Director of Re-entry and Rehabilitation.
Bensema said the agency sits down with inmates to gauge their interests and review their work history to help match them with opportunities.
Bureau Director Cam Ward explained that there are areas where an individual would be unable to work because of their conviction.
“For example, if I committed check fraud, I’m not going to be able to get a job at the bank. Sex offense… you’re not going to be eligible to work anywhere near kids or sensitive facilities,” Ward said.
Ward said offering job possibilities to people leaving incarceration is key to reducing recidivism and repeat offenses.
“Give the employer all the information and if they want to hire somebody based on their criminal history, let the employer decide, don’t let the government be the one who dictates it,” he said.
The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles says it currently has positions open that people with a criminal background can apply for.
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