NCAA REGIONALS: Late-night victory moves Bama into Supers

Alabama freshman reliever Alton Davis II and the Crimson Tide celebrate the Regional championship at Sewell-Thomas Stadium early Monday morning. (UA Athletics)

By GRAHAM DUNN

TUSCALOOSA - Jacob McNairy pitched into the eighth inning, pitching a shutout while giving up just three hits to lead Alabama an 8-0 shutout of 24th-ranked Boston College just before dawn on Sunday into Monday before a sold-out crowd (5,800) at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

The win moves the Crimson Tide to NCAA Super Regional play where they will face top seed Wake Forest this coming weekend.

The Tide improved to 43-19 for the season.

“What an awesome night for our baseball program, for our fanbase and for the players,” stated interim coach Jason Jackson. “I couldn’t be prouder of everybody that’s been involved and has worked hard to get to this point. We’re not done yet, but I’m just so excited that we got to do this on our own field in front of our fans and move on to the next round.”

The Tide used a four-run first to put the game out of reach early. Bama added single tallies in the second and third to go with a two-run eighth for the victory. The early offense provided McNairy (7-2) with more than enough offense. In his final start. He tossed seven and two-third innings allowing three hits and three walks to go with a career-high 11 strikeouts for his team-high tying seventh victory. Hagan Banks and Hunter Hoopes combined for the final one and a third innings to secure the shutout.

Alabama’s offense accumulated a season-high 13 walks with eight of the nine starters drawing at least one base on balls. Mac Guscette went 3-for-4 with a walk, one run and a team-high four RBIs. Dominic Tamez added two hits with a double, two walks, an RBI and two runs scored.

Ed Johnson paced Bama drawing three free passes to go with a single and an RBI.

Alabama advances to NCAA Super Regional play for the first time since 2010. The Crimson Tide won the Atlanta Regional that year before falling in Supers at Clemson. Sunday’s win marked the eighth Regional Championship in program history, including three in Tuscaloosa (1999, 2006, 2023).

Alabama’s series is scheduled to begin Friday at David F. Couch Ballpark in Winston-Salem, N.C. Game times will be announced later.