HOOVER, Ala. -- 4-seed Alabama opens its 2026 Southeastern Conference baseball tournament in the quarterfinals against 5-seed Florida. The Crimson Tide received a double-bye after finishing fourth in the SEC this season, the program's highest finish since 2009.The Crimson Tide will throw Tyler Fay in Thursday's contest, fresh off his second team All-SEC selection. Fay threw a no-hitter against the Gators in their regular season matchup on March 20. Florida counters with Liam Peterson, who gave up six runs on nine hits in five innings of action in the same game. LIVE UPDATES (Refresh your browswer for latest Uptates) Pregame2:47 p.m. CT - Mississippi State and Georgia are entering the top of the ninth inning. Georgia is holding a slim 5-2 lead entering the final frame. The winner of Alabama and Florida's game will meet the winner of this contest. Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron had no shortage of fans waiting for him as the Crimson Tide got off the bus in Hoover ahead of today’s game against Florida pic.twitter.com/PPnX74RFUI— Joe Gaither (@JoeGaither6) May 21, 2026Starting LineupsAlabamaCF - Bryce FowlerSS - Justin LebronRF - Brady Neal3B - Jason TorresC - John LemmDH - Eric Hines2B Brennan Holt1B Luke VaughnLF Peyton SteeleIt’s a Fay Day in Hoover. #RollTide pic.twitter.com/42ThCpSABw— Alabama Baseball (@AlabamaBSB) May 21, 2026How to Watch: 4-Seed Alabama vs. 5-Seed Florida in SEC Tournament QuarterfinalsWho: Alabama (37-18, 18-12 SEC) vs. Florida (38-18, 18-12 SEC)What: SEC Tournament Quarterfinal MatchupWhen: Thursday, May 21, TBA - Estimated 3:30 p.m. CT (30 minutes after the conclusion of Georgia vs. Mississippi State starting at noon.)Where: Hoover Metropolitan Complex, Hoover, AlabamaTV: SEC NetworkRadio: Crimson Tide Sports Network. LISTEN LIVESeries: Alabama trails 61-69, with the first matchup occurring on May 1, 1940. The Crimson Tide is 4-6 in SEC Tournament play against the Gators.Last Meeting: The Crimson Tide swept the Florida Gators in a three-game series in March in Tuscaloosa. The series was highlighted with Alabama starting pitcher Tyler Fay, throwing the program's first complete game no-hitter in over 80 years.Last time out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide won its third SEC series in a row by taking Saturday's game three against Ole Miss 6-2. Alabama saw all three starting pitchers work deep into their respective appearances, Justin Lebron notch four RBIs and Jason Torres make a clutch hit to earn the series win over the Rebels.Last time out, Florida: The Florida Gators won their opening game at the SEC Tournament 8-3 over the Vanderbilt Commodores. The Gators jumped into 3-0 lead in the first two innings and scored three runs late to pull away from the Commodores. Brendan Lawson and Blake Cyr had two RBIs each as the Gators advanced.Sign up for our free newsletter and follow us on Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Threads, and Blue Sky for the latest news.Alabama Crimson Tide On SIAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow