Alabama Falls in Ugly Loss to Texas in CWS

OMAHA, Neb. - A special season for Alabama baseball comes to an end with the Tide going 0-2 in Omaha in the College World Series. The Texas Longhorns' hitting was too much to handle for the Tide, with Alabama pulling starter Zane Adams in the second inning after Alabama trailed 7-1. The Tide would go on to lose to the Longhorns 14-2.

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Pitching Just Wasn't Up to the Standard in Omaha

Tyler Fay and the Alabama pitching coalition allowed nine runs to the Sooners in the Tide's first crack on Saturday in Omaha, resulting in the Tide's shutout loss. Monday's pitching didn't start any better, with Zane Adams giving up seven runs on seven hits, with his day ending midway through the second inning, resulting in Alabama having to rely on Matthew Heiberger more than head coach Rob Vaughn probably originally anticipated. We didn't see star freshman Myles Upchurch until the game was already in Texas's hands with an 11-2 lead in the seventh inning, but after watching every game leading up to Alabama's loss to Texas, the pitching staffs in Omaha are phenomenal, and Alabama's just wasn't up to the standard. Oklahoma pitcher Cord Rager had eight strikeouts and allowed just three hits across 7.0 innings pitched against the Tide, while Texas starter Ruger Riojas had seven punchouts before his day was done in the sixth inning. Fay and Adams combined for eight strikeouts and 13 hits allowed in two game appearances in Omaha. If Alabama hopes to be back on baseball's biggest stage next season, it'll need to see much better production from its starting rotation.

Figure Out Your Non-Negotiables That you have to Keep

There will be time to break down and truly dive deep into the roster to figure out who needs to stay and what you'll have to replace for 2027, but with the baseball transfer portal already open, and an estimated 1,400 players already in it, Alabama will quickly need to pivot to roster retention and portal recruiting. Who are the non-negotiables that you need to keep from hitting the transfer portal at nearly any cost? Who are you willing to let walk? Can you keep anyone from departing for the MLB draft if they have remaining eligibility? These are the questions that Rob Vaughn and the Tide's coaching staff will have to answer with 10 seniors and three graduate students on the roster. Alabama also has looming draft decisions with Justin Lebron and Tyler Fay.

The Season Ending is Disappointing, but Alabama has its Guy in Rob Vaughn

It's always incredibly disappointing when a season comes to an end, especially in two blowout games that Alabama had against Oklahoma and Texas, but don't let the last two games of the year cloud what was a special season for the Crimson Tide. Alabama finished in the top four in the SEC regular season standings for the first time since 2006, hosted a Super Regional in Tuscaloosa for the first time since 2006, and made it to Omaha for the College World Series for the first time since 1999.

For context, Alabama standout wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams wasn't even born the last time Alabama finished in the top four of the SEC regular season standings or hosted a Super Regional. Last time Alabama made a trip to the CWS, "Livin' La Vida Loca" topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me was the No. 1 movie at the domestic box office. Alabama made the CWS in year three under head coach Rob Vaughn and was one of the final seven teams playing college baseball. Hold on to that positive if you're an Alabama fan. The 2026 redition of Alabama baseball proved one thing: Rob Vaughn is the guy who can elevate Alabama baseball back to where it should be.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.