News and notes from Alabama Crimson Tide athletics from the weekend of May 2nd through Mayr 4th.
Alabama baseball blows big lead, loses key series to Vanderbilt
Alabama baseball had a golden opportunity in Nashville this weekend to creep toward the top five of the SEC standings. After getting run-ruled in Friday's series opener, the Crimson Tide bounced back on Saturday thanks to an outstanding performance on the mound from Riley Quick.
Quick threw six innings, gave up four hits, two earned runs, walked two, and struck out nine in Alabama's 5-2 victory. Coleman Mizell gave the Tide the lead with a solo homer in the fifth that they wouldn't relinquish. Garrett Staton and Richie Bonomolo Jr. added RBI base hits to give Alabama some insurance.
In Sunday's rubber-match, Alabama took a 7-2 lead into the 8th inning on the strength of another strong outing from Zane Adams. Staton and Will Hodo paced the offensive effort with homers. Hagan Banks allowed three runs to let Vanderbilt back in it and then Carson Ozmer blew the save in the 9th inning with Braden Holcomb hitting a two-run home run to walk it off for the Commodores.
Alabama fell to 36-12 overall and 13-11 in the SEC following the disappointing weekend in Nashville. The Crimson Tide will face Troy on Tuesday in the final mid-week matchup of the season before hosting Georgia for the final home series of the regular season.
Alabama softball falls to South Carolina in final weekend of regulation
It has not been a banner year for Patrick Murphy and Alabama softball. The Crimson Tide dominated South Carolina 13-1 to open the series in Columbia, but lost the second game 3-1 and then fell 7-2 in a weather-shortened game on Saturday to lose the series.
Alabama finished the regular season 36-20 overall and 12-12 in SEC play. The SEC Tournament begins on Tuesday with the Crimson Tide facing off against Auburn in Athens. The full tournament bracket is below:
Seeing Alabama as the 10-seed in the SEC Tournament is jarring.
Chris Youngblood invited to NBA G-League Elite Camp
Chris Youngblood didn't get invited to the NBA Draft Combine like his Alabama teammates Labaron Philon, Mark Sears, and Grant Nelson, but Youngblood impressed enough at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament last month to earn an invite to the NBA's G-League Elite Camp.
Youngblood is one of 44 players invited to the camp that will run from May 9-May 11. A select few will impress enough to get invited to the combine. The G-League Elite Camp will give Youngblood face time with NBA decision makers and could ultimately lead to him getting an opportunity in the G-League next season.
Alabama basketball adds Yale to non-conference schedule
So much for an easier schedule this season, huh? Nate Oats spoke at the end of last season that he might need to tone down the scheduling a little as he felt the Crimson Tide was a bit out of gas at the end of the regular season. He doesn't appear to be taking his own advice.
As part of the Crimson Tide's non-conference schedule in 2025-26, Alabama just added Yale as one of its opponents. The Bulldogs finished 74th in KenPom a year ago and made the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row. In the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Yale knocked off Auburn in the 1st Round. They are no stranger to giant-killing.