Belmont's Maya Johnson and Rylee Spindler express full confidence ahead of the Tuscaloosa Regional, stating they are ready to make a statement. The Bruins are set to compete against Alabama, USC Upstate, and Southeastern Louisiana.
Belmont ace Maya Johnson is "100% confident" the Bruins are ready to make a statement at the Tuscaloosa Regional. Rylee Spindler is right there with her.
"I'm 100% confident in my team," Johnson told media Thursday, May 14 at Rhoads Stadium. ... "I have no doubts or concerns with our ability to perform and win here."
MAYA JOHNSON: 3 things to know about Belmont softball's Maya Johnson ahead of Tuscaloosa Regional
The No. 1 overall-seeded Crimson Tide (49-7) is hosting Belmont (40-11) for a second regional in a row, also welcoming USC Upstate (36-21) and Southeastern Louisiana (46-14) to Rhoads Stadium.
After facing pitching staffs from Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi State and their own AUSL signee in Johnson, Spindler is not phased by what the Tuscaloosa Regional could bring.
"I know they like to talk about how we have the pitching, best pitching regional out there. Well, we've also seen a lot of good pitchers all year," Spindler said. ... "The pitching is not anything to be intimidated by. So we're going in head down game by game, and we're gonna go make a dent in this place."
Maya Johnson pitches during a game for Belmont softball in 2026.
Johnson’s confidence in particular comes after the NCAA Tournament bracket reveal Sunday, when she told ESPN's Holly Rowe that the team is fully expecting to win, adding that the Bruins "wouldn't be the first mid-major to beat Alabama this year."
"I just like to prove people wrong. I think that's one of my driving motivators," Johnson told media Thursday. ... "If they're screaming that I suck, good. I want them to bring all the noise. I want to be out there and prove them wrong. I mean, there's no better way to silence someone than with your performance."
The teams competing in the Tuscaloosa Regional include Belmont, Alabama, USC Upstate, and Southeastern Louisiana.
Maya Johnson is '100% confident' in her team's ability to perform and win at the Tuscaloosa Regional.
Alabama is the No. 1 overall seed in the Tuscaloosa Regional.
Jordan Walker hit a solo home run and drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-4 victory over the Athletics. Iván Herrera also contributed with a game-tying single.
ASU basketball adds 7-foot-1 Serbian player Filip Malesevic to their roster!
Fossil Ridge's Kennedy Lindsey shines in snowy playoff match, named Blue FCU's Girls Athlete of the Week!
Eduardo Camavinga left out of France's World Cup squad
Braves look to sweep Cubs after series win on May 13
Discover how Cherry Bombs FC is redefining community in women's football!
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Johnson (27-2) gives Belmont reason for that confidence. The USA Softball Player of the Year finalist is one of the top pitchers in the country, leading the NCAA with a 0.66 ERA, 381 strikeouts and strikeout-to-walk ratio of 11.91. Spindler has 40 RBIs and has managed 38 runs off of 72 hits this season.
BRACKET REVEAL: Maya Johnson calls out Alabama softball: 'Wouldn't be the first mid-major to beat Alabama'
Belmont has beaten two SEC teams this season with wins over Georgia and Mississippi State. In two complete-game performances, Johnson struck out a combined 25 hitters and gave up just one run. Spindler scores the two-run homer that gave the Bruins the edge vs. Georgia.
"We say every day, 'Why not us?' We've showed that we can beat those top teams, and I don't think this is any different," Johnson said Sunday. "You have mid-majors upsetting your power four (conference programs) every day. We've done it multiple times this year. so if you want to bet on an underdog story, bet on us."
Amelia Hurley covers high school and college sports for The Tuscaloosa News and USA TODAY Network. You can find her on X atameliahurley_or reach her at ahurley@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Belmont's Maya Johnson, Rylee Spindler not intimidated before Tuscaloosa Regional