TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama baseball (2-1) swept both legs of a doubleheader over Washington State (1-2) at Sewell-Thomas Stadium on Saturday, first claiming an 8-1 victory over the Cougars before an 11-1 win in the second game, earning the series win. After falling on Opening Day on Friday, the Crimson Tide’s doubleheader sweep secured its 14^th consecutive Opening Weekend series win, a streak that began in 2013.

 From Head Coach Rob Vaughn 

 “Obviously, the results were much better. We just executed at a better level. You even saw it early in the game today. Zane (Adams) was as dialed in as it gets there in that first game. And we needed that. Because you can even feel it in the dugout, You could feel kind of some tightness in the dugout. Luckily, (Adams) was dialed in, giving us zero after zero. And then when Luke Vaughn finally hit the homer, it felt like they loosened up a little bit. We started running off really good at-bats. And then we had the young pup in the second game. (Myles) Upchurch did a great job in his first start, and the hitters were great. We’re just really proud of the bounce-back. They didn’t surprise me. It’s what I thought they would do, but good to see them respond. I knew when we showed up to the yard, we were in a good head space. I didn’t feel like there was any panic. They were ready to go and had a good day of baseball today.” 

GAME ONE 

The Crimson Tide shook off a slow offensive start before plating eight runs over the game’s final six innings, picking up its first win of the 2026 campaign by way of an 8-1 result.

Zane Adams (1-0) was masterful in his season debut, allowing just three hits while not issuing a walk across 5.0 scoreless innings, adding nine strikeouts. Matthew Heiberger provided 3.0 solid frames out of the bullpen, surrendering just three hits and one earned run while collecting three strikeouts. Evan Steckmesser made his Alabama debut in the 9th, striking out two in a perfect inning.

Jason Torres led the offensive charge, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and a walk. Luke Vaughn slugged his first career home run to open the scoring in the 4th, lifting a two-run home run to break the deadlock. Brady Neal and Brennan Holt each collected a hit and RBI as well.

How It Happened 

• B4 | After Jason Torres led off the inning with a walk, Luke Vaughn produced a two-run homer to left-center. (2-0, Alabama)  
• B5 | With one out, Brennan Holt singled to left before Bryce Fowler reached base after an error at first. Lebron followed Fowler with a walk to load the bases, leading to Torres’ two-run single to center. With runners still at the corners, John Lemm lifted a sacrifice fly to center. (5-0, Alabama)
• T6 | A two-out walk preceded a pair of two-out singles, leading to a Wazzu run. (5-1, Alabama)
• B6 | Justin Osterhouse opened the frame with a walk, later reaching second after a balk. A productive out advanced Osterhouse to third base, with Holt managing a sacrifice fly to center to extend the lead. (6-1, Alabama) 
• B8 | Osterhouse and Holt both walked, putting two on with one out. Brady Neal made good on the scoring opportunity, lining a single up the middle to score Osterhouse. With two outs, a wild pitch and a subsequent throwing error by the Washington State catcher allowed Holt to trot home. (8-1, Alabama)  

GAME TWO 

Alabama leaned on freshman right-hander Myles Upchurch in the Maryland native’s collegiate debut, as the Crimson Tide cemented the series win with an 11-1 victory in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader. The game was made official after seven innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.

Upchurch (1-0) impressed across his first 4.0 innings with the Tide, striking out nine of the 15 batters he faced, giving up just two hits and two walks without allowing a run.

Neal and Andrew Purdy both provided a game-high three RBI in the series finale, with Purdy collecting his first collegiate hit following a two-run single in the 3rd. Justin Lebron was 2-for-4 with a solo home run and four runs scored, while John Lemm closed 2-for-3 with an RBI single. Peyton Steele’s lone knock was an RBI double as part of a four-run 4th inning, with Bryce Fowler reaching base in three of his four plate appearances.

Out of the bullpen, Tate Robertson, Ashton Crowther, Luke Smyers and Joe Chiarodo combined to toss 3.0 innings of one-run ball to close out the win.

How It Happened 

• B1 | Justin Lebron reached base after a fielder’s choice, eventually stealing second. The next batter, John Lemm, stung an RBI single up the middle to plate the game’s first run. (1-0, Alabama)
• B3 | Brennan Holt led off the inning with a solo home run down the right field line. Bryce Fowler then singled to right before Lebron reached base on a throwing error by the Cougars’ third baseman, placing two in scoring position. Lemm walked to load the bases, allowing Andrew Purdy to send a two-run single up the middle. An error at shortstop brought in two more runs, with Brady Neal ending the inning with a sacrifice fly. (6-0, Alabama)
• B4 | Fowler drew a walk to start the 4th and was followed by Lebron and Lemm who both singled to load the bases. Purdy drew a free pass to force in a run before Neal lined a single up the middle to bring in two more runs. Peyton Steele then doubled into the right field corner to bring home Purdy. (10-0, Alabama)
• B5 | With two outs, Lebron connected on a solo home run to left field. (11-0, Alabama)
• T6 | The Cougars found the scoreboard with a two-out RBI single after Gavin Roy opened the inning with a base-hit. (11-1, Alabama)

Postgame Notes 

• Head coach Rob Vaughn notched the 75^th win of his Alabama tenure following the victory in the first leg of Saturday’s doubleheader
• After reaching base in both games on Saturday, John Lemm extended his on-base streak to 38 games, a streak that began on March 22, 2025, during his time at Southern Illinois
• Luke Vaughn’s home run in Game One was not only his first collegiate homer, but also his first collegiate hit
• Zane Adams’ nine strikeouts were the most by the left-hander since striking out a career-high 10 batters against Presbyterian on March 7 last season
• Luke Smyers produced his first collegiate strikeout in the final inning of Game Two
• ATTENDANCE: 4,378

Up Next 

• Alabama will hit the road for the first time in 2026, traveling to Samford on Tuesday, Feb. 17
• First pitch between the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT, airing on ESPN+