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Where does Alabama softball rank ahead of NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional?
Where does Alabama softball rank ahead of NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional?
Alabama softball has earned its last placement in national rankings before the postseason ends.
The Crimson Tide (49-7) rose to No. 2 in the USA Softball poll after falling short in the SEC Tournament title game. Alabama secured six first-place votes along with Nebraska, Texas and Oklahoma.
Alabama jumped up to No. 3 in the NFCA Coaches Poll, earning two first-place votes. The D1 Softball and Softball America polls did not release a set of rankings this week.
The SEC leads national rankings with No. 3 Texas, No. 4 Oklahoma, No. 5 Arkansas, No. 8 Tennessee, No. 10 Florida, No. 11 Georgia, No. 16 Texas A&M, No. 18 LSU and No. 20 Mississippi State also appearing in the USA Softball poll.
Alabama started off with a bang in the SEC Softball Tournament with its 7-1 win over Arkansas and a 9-1 run-rule win over Florida in the semifinals. But Texas scored seven unanswered to deny Alabama the title.
Now the No. 1 seed Crimson Tide hosts the Tuscaloosa Regional, welcoming USC Upstate (36-21), Belmont (40-11) and SE Louisiana (46-14) to Rhoads Stadium.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Members of the University of Alabama ROTC present the colors on an evening when members of the armed forces and veterans were honored at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopters from the 908th flying training wing at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery do the first ever flyover at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopters from the 908th flying training wing at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery do the first ever flyover at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama left fielder Audrey Vandagriff snags a fly ball at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama right fielder Ana Roman fields a double and throws to second at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; South Carolina batter Tori Ensley celebrates after hitting a double at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; South Carolina base runner Tori Ensley is tagged out as she dives back to second by Alabama second baseman Jena Young at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama third baseman Ambrey Taylor fields a ball and throws to first for an out at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama shortstop Salen Hawkins fields a short fly ball at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama third baseman Ambrey Taylor fields a ball and throws to first for an out at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama third baseman Ambrey Taylor fields a ball and throws to first for an out at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama base runner Ana Roman slides safely into second as South Carolina second baseman Karley Shelton has a throw from the outfield get away from her at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A Bama fan holds up a sing asking for a home run at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A youth softball team cheers for the Crimson Tide at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama centerfielder Kristen White drifts back to grab a fly ball at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A ball hit up the middle is just out of reach of Alabama shortstop Salen Hawkins at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama catcher Marlie Giles talks with pitcher Jocelyn Briski at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama second baseman Jena Young can’t handle a hard-hit ball at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama centerfielder Kristen White makes a running catch near the warning track for an out at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Head coach Patrick Murphy gives a high five to Alabama batter Brooke Wells as she rounds third after hitting a two-run homer at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama batter Brooke Wells reaches the plate after hitting a two-run homer at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama second baseman Jena Young fields a grounder before throwing to first for an out at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama batter Audrey Vandagriff lays down a bunt at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Taco takes hot sauce in the traditional race at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama’s Jocelyn Briski pitches at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama second baseman Jena Young makes a catch in foul territory for an out at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Head coach Patrick Murphy poses for a photo with several players at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Players huddle with head coach Patrick Murphy at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Assistant coach Kayla Braud talks to assistant coach Lance McMahon before the game at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
1 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Members of the University of Alabama ROTC present the colors on an evening when members of the armed forces and veterans were honored at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
1 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Members of the University of Alabama ROTC present the colors on an evening when members of the armed forces and veterans were honored at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
2 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopters from the 908th flying training wing at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery do the first ever flyover at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
3 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopters from the 908th flying training wing at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery do the first ever flyover at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
4 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama left fielder Audrey Vandagriff snags a fly ball at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
5 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama right fielder Ana Roman fields a double and throws to second at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
6 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; South Carolina batter Tori Ensley celebrates after hitting a double at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
7 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; South Carolina base runner Tori Ensley is tagged out as she dives back to second by Alabama second baseman Jena Young at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
8 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama third baseman Ambrey Taylor fields a ball and throws to first for an out at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
9 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama shortstop Salen Hawkins fields a short fly ball at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
10 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama third baseman Ambrey Taylor fields a ball and throws to first for an out at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
11 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama third baseman Ambrey Taylor fields a ball and throws to first for an out at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
12 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama base runner Ana Roman slides safely into second as South Carolina second baseman Karley Shelton has a throw from the outfield get away from her at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
13 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A Bama fan holds up a sing asking for a home run at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
14 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A youth softball team cheers for the Crimson Tide at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
15 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama centerfielder Kristen White drifts back to grab a fly ball at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
16 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A ball hit up the middle is just out of reach of Alabama shortstop Salen Hawkins at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
17 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama catcher Marlie Giles talks with pitcher Jocelyn Briski at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
18 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama second baseman Jena Young can’t handle a hard-hit ball at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
19 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama centerfielder Kristen White makes a running catch near the warning track for an out at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
20 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Head coach Patrick Murphy gives a high five to Alabama batter Brooke Wells as she rounds third after hitting a two-run homer at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
21 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama batter Brooke Wells reaches the plate after hitting a two-run homer at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
22 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama second baseman Jena Young fields a grounder before throwing to first for an out at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
23 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama batter Audrey Vandagriff lays down a bunt at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
24 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Taco takes hot sauce in the traditional race at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
25 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama’s Jocelyn Briski pitches at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
26 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama second baseman Jena Young makes a catch in foul territory for an out at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
27 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Head coach Patrick Murphy poses for a photo with several players at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
28 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Players huddle with head coach Patrick Murphy at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
29 / 29
Alabama vs South Carolina - SEC Softball
April 30, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Assistant coach Kayla Braud talks to assistant coach Lance McMahon before the game at Rhoads Stadium as the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina.
Tuscaloosa Regional full schedule, bracket
Friday, May 15
- Game 1: Alabama vs. USC Upstate, noon CT
- Game 2: Belmont vs. Southeastern Louisiana, 2:30 p.m. CT
Saturday, May 16
- Game 3: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner, 1 p.m. CT
- Game 4: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser, 3:30 p.m. CT
- Game 5: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 3 Loser, 6 p.m. CT
Sunday, May 17
- Game 6: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner, noon CT
- Game 7: Game 6 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser (if necessary), 2:30 p.m. CT
Amelia Hurley covers high school and college sports for The Tuscaloosa News and USA TODAY Network. You can find her on X at ameliahurley_ or reach her at ahurley@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama softball rankings before NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional
