TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The 7-seeded Alabama baseball program opens NCAA Tournament play on Friday in the Tuscaloosa Regional. The Crimson Tide hosts Alabama State in the first postseason game in Tuscaloosa since 2023 and opts to put second team All-SEC honoree Tyler Fay on the mound to try to get the weekend started on a postive note.The Crimson Tide defeated the Hornets twice this season in midweek games, once in Tuscaloosa and once in Montgomery. This game carries bigger stakes than a midweek skirmish as Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn looks for his first NCAA regional victory in charge of the program and more importantly the victor stays on the winner's side of the weekend's regional bracket. Live Updates (Refresh Your Browser For Latest Updates at the Top)Starting Lineups (Will Be Updated When Submitted) PregameAlabama will wear its white hats on Friday night against Alabama State pic.twitter.com/6Xv21yuGxg— Joe Gaither (@JoeGaither6) May 29, 20264:45 p.m. CT - The tarp is being rolled up, and the shower seems to have passed. The sun is peaking through the clouds, and the grounds crew is preparing the field for tonight's 6 p.m. CT start on SEC Network. 4:30 p.m. CT - There's a light shower in the area, and the tarp is on the field, but sunlight can easily be seen in the west. It doesn't look like the rain will delay the start time. 3-seed USC Upstate upset 2-seed Oklahoma State in the opening game of the Tuscaloosa Regional 8-5, sending the Cowboys into the sudden death portion of the double-elimination weekend. Alabama Baseball Regional Tournament Hub: Schedule, How to Watch, Bracket BreakdownHow to Watch: 7-Seed Alabama vs. Alabama State in the Tuscaloosa RegionalWho: 7-seed Alabama (37-19, 18-12 SEC) vs. Alabama State (34-21, 20-10 SWAC)What: NCAA Regional Game 1When: Friday, May 29, 6 p.m. CTWhere: Sewell-Thomas Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AlabamaTV: SEC NetworkRadio: Crimson Tide Sports Network. LISTEN LIVESeries: Alabama leads the series against the Hornets 15-0, dating back to the first matchup in 1983.Last Meeting: The Crimson Tide defeated Alabama State 13-4 on March 4 in Montgomery. Brady Neal hit two doubles, Justin Lebron hit a home run, and Alabama stole nine bases to outpace the Hornets. The two clubs played a closer game on Feb. 18 in Tuscaloosa with the Crimson Tide winning 2-1 as freshman Eric Hines scored on a passed ball in the fifth inning to take the lead.Last time out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide was on the wrong end of a run-rule contest as Florida eliminated Alabama 13-3 in eight innings in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals. Liam Peterson struck out 14 Alabama batters, and the Gators got the bats going in the middle innings, scoring two runs in the fourth and five in the fifth to take control.Last time out, Alabama State: The Hornets defeated Florida A&M 8-6 in the SWAC Championship game on Sunday. Trey Callaway's three-run home run in the sixth inning gave Alabama State control as the Hornets amassed 13 hits on the afternoon.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