TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- Alabama State's postseason run opened against one of the nation's top teams Friday evening as the Hornets dropped a 21-3 decision to seventh-ranked Alabama in the opening game of the 2026 NCAA Division I Baseball Tuscaloosa Regional at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

The Southwestern Athletic Conference champions finished the contest with six hits, including home runs from Miguel Oropeza and Trey Callaway, but the Crimson Tide used a 15-hit attack and multiple big innings to secure the victory.

Alabama State (34-22) erased an early 3-0 deficit in the top of the third inning. Breydon Divine opened the frame with a single and later scored when Oropeza launched a two-run home run to right field, his 11th homer of the season, cutting Alabama's lead to 3-2.

Alabama answered immediately with a six-run fourth inning to seize control of the contest. The Crimson Tide added three runs in the fifth, six more in the sixth and three in the seventh to build a commanding advantage.

The Hornets added their final run in the sixth inning when Callaway connected on a solo home run, his 17th of the season, trimming the deficit to 12-3 before Alabama responded with another six-run outburst in the bottom half of the inning.

Oropeza paced Alabama State offensively, finishing 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs. Callaway went 2-for-4 with a homer and one RBI, while Divine added a hit and scored a run.

Alabama's offense was led by Bryce Fowler, who finished 3-for-4 with four runs scored and three RBIs. Justin Lebron drove in four runs, while Brady Neal collected three hits and two RBIs. Luke Vaughn homered and drove in three runs for the Crimson Tide.

Jorhan LaBoy (9-6) took the loss for Alabama State after allowing seven runs, five earned, on seven hits over 3.2 innings. He struck out two and walked one.

Camden Matthews worked 0.2 innings, allowing four runs on one hit while issuing three walks and striking out one. Joe Dolinshek surrendered two runs over 0.2 innings, and Caio Araujo allowed four runs in 0.1 inning of relief. Zane Baltz gave up three runs over 0.2 innings, while Jacob Loeffler allowed one run in one inning. Caleb Sanders closed the game with a scoreless eighth inning, striking out two.

Alabama starter Tyler Fay (10-4) earned the victory after allowing three runs on six hits over 5.2 innings while striking out eight. Evan Steckmesser, Owen Sarna and Tate Robertson combined for 3.1 scoreless innings of relief.

Alabama opened the scoring with one run in the first inning and added two more in the second before the Hornets responded with Oropeza's two-run blast in the third. The Crimson Tide's six-run fourth inning proved decisive, and Alabama continued to add insurance runs throughout the middle innings to advance in the winners bracket.

Alabama State will continue playing in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional in an elimination game against No. 2 Oklahoma State on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. on ESPN+