Brady Neal's storybook turnaround delivers Alabama baseball's biggest moment in 20 years

When Brady Neal transferred from LSU to Alabama before the 2025 season, he was one of the most high-profile portal additions for Rob Vaughn. The former elite high school recruit was expected to come in and have an immediate high impact on the Tide's lineup.

Instead, the lefty had the worst season of his collegiate career. He hit just .219 with three homers and 19 RBI. He was, to put it bluntly, considered a complete portal bust.

But as a senior, Neal has flipped the narrative. He's lived up to - and exceeded - the immense potential he came to Alabama with. Raising his batting average all the way up to .332, Neal has been the best hitter in the Crimson Tide's lineup all year long.

So it was fitting on Sunday night in extra innings against Oklahoma State, with the game tied at six, that it was Neal who delivered the biggest hit for Alabama baseball in 20 years.

In the top of the 11th, with two on and facing his final strike, Neal drove a three-run homer into the right field ragers to give Alabama a 9-6 lead:

It proved to be the game - and Regional - winner for the Crimson Tide as Hagan Banks shut the door in the bottom of the 11th, though things certainly got a bit dicey as Alabama held on to a 9-7 win.

Alabama hero Brady Neal reflects on stunning turnaround after game-winning homer

Neal didn't pull any punches in his ESPN field interview after Alabama defeated Oklahoma State to sweep the Tuscaloosa Regional.

"This team has made baseball the most fun thing in the world for me. Last year, plain and simple, I sucked. This team just brought the joy of the game to me again,' Neal said, via Bama Central's Katie Windham.

It appeared early that Alabama might be on easy street against Oklahoma State. When John Lemm singled home two runs in the 3rd inning, it was quickly 4-0 Alabama. But the Cowboys battled back, hitting four home runs and ultimately taking a 6-5 lead going into the 8th inning. Freshman phenom Eric Hines set the stage for Neal's heroics with a clutch moment of his own.

Hines smashed a homer over the left field wall that landed somewhere in downtown Northport.

Hines' homer kept Alabama alive long enough for Neal to put on his Superman cape.

Neal's homer not only punched Alabama's ticket to Supers for just the second time in 16 years, it clinched the Tide's spot as a Super Regional host for the first time in 20 years.

Not since 2006 has a Super Regional been played at The Joe. That changes next weekend when Alabama will face either St. John's or Florida State in a three-game series with a spot in the College World Series on the line. It's been even longer since Alabama made it to Omaha, dating all the way back to 1999.

This is Alabama's best chance since 2006 to get there. The 27-year drought between World Series bids will come to an end if the Crimson Tide can take care of business at home this coming weekend.

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