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Alabama-LSU. Crimson vs. purple. The Tide against the Tigers.
A staple in every other sport, Alabama softball has coveted a longstanding rivalry with the Tigers for decades. The Crimson Tide's super regional matchup with LSU is no different.
No. 1 overall seed Alabama (52-7) hosts No. 16 seed LSU (40-17) for the NCAA Tuscaloosa Super Regional this weekend, with the winner of the series advancing to the Women's College World Series.
Alabama didn't face LSU in the 2026 regular season or in the SEC tournament. The Crimson Tide hasn't seen the Tigers on the dirt since April 6, 2025 in Baton Rouge. And LSU hasn't played at Rhoads Stadium since April 30, 2023.
The matchup isn't anything new. The pair have been meeting since 1997, and the rivalry has ebbed and flowed as the sport has matured.
For years under the old NCAA Tournament format, the West Division champion would nearly always be Alabama or LSU.
"It was the rivalry in the SEC for a long, long time, and then when everybody expanded and you don't get to play people every year, I think you lose a little bit of that," Alabama softball coach Patrick Murphy said. "That's why some sports have a permanent rival. We didn't do it. We voted not to do that, but they were our rival for years and years and years, and it was very respectful, because both schools have really good softball and very passionate fans."
LSU softball coach Beth Torina said she's seen Alabama earn the right as the No. 1 seed in the country. When she joined the Tigers staff in 2011, she quickly learned the importance of the historic rivalry, too.
"I think there's just something special about LSU-Alabama, so I'm sure it will be one for the books this weekend," Torina said. "The minute I got the job at LSU, I soon learned about the rivalry with Alabama. Get rid of all things red in your closet. Tigers don't roll, they go."
The deeper implications of the series have taken over the Alabama freshmen class, pitcher Vic Moten said. As they learn about the rivalry in real time, the deeper goal remains at the forefront of their mindset.
"I speak for me and all the other freshmen — we're new to this, so we're just taking it by the reins and riding it out," Moten said. "We want to do it for the seniors. We want to play with them as long as we can. So for us, it's just going out and doing our jobs and helping them make it to OKC."
Amelia Hurley covers high school and college sports for The Tuscaloosa News and USA TODAY Network. You can find her on X at ameliahurley_ or reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama softball, LSU battle for WCWS spot in rivalry super regional series
Continue reading...
A staple in every other sport, Alabama softball has coveted a longstanding rivalry with the Tigers for decades. The Crimson Tide's super regional matchup with LSU is no different.
No. 1 overall seed Alabama (52-7) hosts No. 16 seed LSU (40-17) for the NCAA Tuscaloosa Super Regional this weekend, with the winner of the series advancing to the Women's College World Series.
Alabama didn't face LSU in the 2026 regular season or in the SEC tournament. The Crimson Tide hasn't seen the Tigers on the dirt since April 6, 2025 in Baton Rouge. And LSU hasn't played at Rhoads Stadium since April 30, 2023.
The matchup isn't anything new. The pair have been meeting since 1997, and the rivalry has ebbed and flowed as the sport has matured.
For years under the old NCAA Tournament format, the West Division champion would nearly always be Alabama or LSU.
"It was the rivalry in the SEC for a long, long time, and then when everybody expanded and you don't get to play people every year, I think you lose a little bit of that," Alabama softball coach Patrick Murphy said. "That's why some sports have a permanent rival. We didn't do it. We voted not to do that, but they were our rival for years and years and years, and it was very respectful, because both schools have really good softball and very passionate fans."
LSU softball coach Beth Torina said she's seen Alabama earn the right as the No. 1 seed in the country. When she joined the Tigers staff in 2011, she quickly learned the importance of the historic rivalry, too.
"I think there's just something special about LSU-Alabama, so I'm sure it will be one for the books this weekend," Torina said. "The minute I got the job at LSU, I soon learned about the rivalry with Alabama. Get rid of all things red in your closet. Tigers don't roll, they go."
The deeper implications of the series have taken over the Alabama freshmen class, pitcher Vic Moten said. As they learn about the rivalry in real time, the deeper goal remains at the forefront of their mindset.
"I speak for me and all the other freshmen — we're new to this, so we're just taking it by the reins and riding it out," Moten said. "We want to do it for the seniors. We want to play with them as long as we can. So for us, it's just going out and doing our jobs and helping them make it to OKC."
Amelia Hurley covers high school and college sports for The Tuscaloosa News and USA TODAY Network. You can find her on X at ameliahurley_ or reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama softball, LSU battle for WCWS spot in rivalry super regional series
Continue reading...
