University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
#1 Alabama
Upstate Softball prepares for weekend action taking on National #1 Seed, Alabama at the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional
5/14/2026 5:12:00 PM | Softball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The postseason journey begins with a Friday afternoon matchup with the National number one seeded, University of Alabama as the Spartans return to Tuscaloosa for the first time since 2024.Â
OverviewÂ
Following a three-peat at the Big South Conference Tournament, USC Upstate heard their name called early in the selection show where the Spartans will take the field at Rhoads Stadium against National No. 1 seed, Alabama. This marks their first meeting since May 17, 2024, where Upstate fell to the Crimson Tide in a narrow 1-0 final. USC Upstate (36-21; 12-6 Big South) looks to make a statement when they battle Alabama (49-7; 19-5 SEC) on SEC Network and steal the opening game. USC Upstate has been part of the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional five times (2013, 2014, 2015, 2024, 2026) and will have eight players from the 2024 roster (Abby Polk, Maddie Drerup, Grace McKee, Ashlyn Brown, Carson Shaw, Amie Johnson, Taliyah Thomas, Emily Stern) who are making their second appearance at the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional. The Spartans feature 12 players who will make their first appearance (Leanne Allen, Alyssa Davenport, Anna Dickinson, Ella Christopher, Chloe Poteete, Molly Vaughn, Laila Landrum, Laney Jennings, Renske Tellekamp, Mackenzei Bernal-Mahagan, Cariana Stout). Â
Saturday's MatchupÂ
May 15, 2026| 1:00 P.M. ESTÂ
USC Upstate Spartans (36-21; 12-6 Big South) vs. #1 Alabama Crimson Tide (49-7; 19-5 SEC)Â
Location: Rhoads Stadium| Tuscaloosa, Ala.Â
TV: SEC Network| Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App    Â
How they Stack UpÂ
All-time series vs. Alabama: Alabama leads 2-0Â
Last two matchups: May 17, 2024 (UA 1; UPST 0);Â May 17, 2014 (UA 7; UPST 1)Â
NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional Teams and ScheduleÂ
Teams:Â Â
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No. 1 AlabamaÂ
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Southeastern LouisianaÂ
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BelmontÂ
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USC UpstateÂ
Schedule:Â
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Friday, May 15Â
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Alabama vs. USC Upstate – 1 p.m. EST – SEC NetworkÂ
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Southeastern vs. Belmont – 3:30 p.m. EST – ESPN+Â
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Saturday, May 16Â
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Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner – 2 p.m. ESTÂ
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Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser – 4:30 p.m. ESTÂ
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Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Winner – 7 p.m. ESTÂ
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Sunday, May 17Â
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Game 3 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner – 1 p.m. ESTÂ
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(If Necessary) Game 6 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser – 3:30 p.m. ESTÂ
Players to WatchÂ
USC Upstate: Sophomore Outfielder, Sophia Kardatzke has proven to flip the momentum with one swing at the plate. The story of her Sophomore season was having to bounce back from missing the first 28 games due to a knee injury and respond to the challenge in the next 28. Kardatzke answered the bell batting .404 while adding 36 hits, 21 runs scored, six doubles, six home runs, 27 RBI and six stolen bases. Kardatzke quickly climbed her way across the stats sheet adding 12 multi-hit games and eight multi-RBI games. Following being named Big South Player of the Week on three different occasions in April, Kardatzke's impact was enough to earn her second consecutive First Team All-Conference honor. As Upstate battles against a loaded pitching staff, Sophia Kardatzke will be a player to keep an eye on during the battle.Â
Alabama: Sophomore Infielder, Brooke Wells has led the Crimson Tide offense batting .404 with 61 hits, 34 runs scored, 12 doubles, 61 RBI and 22 home runs. Wells was second on the team with 17 multi-hit games and led with 21 multi-RBI games. Wells' effort on the year was enough to earn her first career All-SEC Honor along with recently being announced on the NFCA All Region First Team in the South Region. As Brooke Wells begins the journey on her home field, she will be a player to keep an eye on each time she is at the plate.Â
Up next for the SpartansÂ
The winner of the Alabama/Upstate matchup will face the winner of the Southeastern Louisiana and Belmont matchup on Saturday, May 16 at 2:00 P.M. Eastern time. The loser of the matchup will move to the Elimination game, taking place on Saturday, May 16 at 4:30 P.M. Eastern. The winner of the Elimination matchup will play in the final game of the day under the lights in another elimination game at 7:00 P.M. eastern. Â
