Alabama handled its business in the Tuscaloosa Regional. Then just about everything else broke the Crimson Tide’s way.
The Tide rolled through their home regional and now await the winner of the Tallahassee Regional. Florida State entered Monday needing two wins to advance, while No. 4 seed St. John’s sat one victory away from a stunning regional title. If the Red Storm finish the job, Alabama would host a No. 4 seed in a super regional with a trip to Omaha on the line.
The breaks started early. Alabama only had to face No. 2 seed Oklahoma State once after USC Upstate knocked off the Cowboys on Friday. Oklahoma State spent the rest of the weekend battling through lengthy elimination games and looked exhausted by the time its season ended.
Elsewhere, several teams that could have complicated Alabama’s postseason path have struggled to survive their own regionals.
None of that diminishes what Alabama has accomplished. The Tide took care of their side of the bracket, won the games in front of them and put themselves in a position few expected entering the tournament.
At this point, Alabama is more than a feel-good story. The Tide are a legitimate threat to make a deep run toward Omaha.
