re: Alabama Baseball (19-7 (3-3)) (Schedule & Roster 2026)

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The Crimson Tide secured its first series victory over the Gators since 2008

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Led by another outstanding start on the mound, Alabama baseball (17-7, 2-3 SEC) claimed an 8-4 win over No. 18 Florida (19-5, 3-2 SEC) at Sewell-Thomas Stadium on Saturday. As a result of Saturday's victory, the Crimson Tide earned its first series win over the Gators since 2008.

Zane Adams (4-1) gave the Tide a superlative effort in his sixth start of 2026, limiting the Gators to just two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out six across 6.0 innings. Adams allowed single runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings, though the southpaw tossed three consecutive scoreless innings to close his outing, making way for his side to score six of the game's final eight runs.

Out of the bullpen, Matthew Heiberger followed Adams with 2.1 effective innings of relief, allowing just one hit and two unearned runs over his seven outs. Heiberger struck out two and walked a pair in his eighth appearance of the spring. Hagan Banks, in a non-save situation, entered in the 9th, inheriting the bases loaded and one out. The Tide's de facto closer retired two of the three batters he faced to secure the win, scattering a double between two fly outs.

Alabama's leader in batting average, Brady Neal, continued his torrid pace, going 3-for-5 with three RBI. Justin Lebron was 1-for-3, clubbing a two-run home run in the 7th, adding a walk and two runs scored. Bryce Fowler ended his afternoon 1-for-3 with a double, three runs scored and three stolen bases, while Jason Torres was also 1-for-3, driving in two runs with two sacrifice bunts. Brennan Holt was a catalyst out of the nine-hole, finishing 1-for-2 with a double, an RBI, two walks, two runs scored and two stolen bases.

From Head Coach Rob Vaughn
"Yeah, obviously a good one. Good way to finish the series or win this series I should say. When we talked to the guys, I told Zane (Adams) this when he came out of the game, I thought the story of the game was just how he competed. He had some stuff, but he didn't have just elite feel of everything. He had to battle through some things. He had to work through some things. He had to execute pitches in big spots. That's what makes him who he is. But just a really good team win. I told the team afterwards, my dad taught me this when I was a kid, and he always told me if you ever get in a fight and you get the guy on the ground, don't ever let him up. Just keep swinging, you cannot let him up. So right now, that's where we're at in this series, right? We got them on the mat, we got them on the ground, but if we let them up for one inch, we know how good that Florida team is out there. The last three Sundays, there's been no secret. We're getting no-hit through five or six innings last week at Kentucky. Didn't do a good job three Sundays ago against Houston. This is going to be a good test for us. It's been a great start to the weekend, but you don't get in this position very often against really good teams, and we're in a position to finish the series. So, can we come out tomorrow and be mature enough to keep them on the ground? I trust that Myles (Upchurch) is going to have a great start."

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