Myles Upchurch “Penciled In” as Friday Night Ace

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama head baseball coach Rob Vaughn joined the Gary Harris show at Innisfree Friday morning, already announcing the Friday night ace for the Crimson Tide in 2027.

"Upchurch back, you can pencil him in on Friday," Vaughn told Gary Harris Friday morning.

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Sophomore pitcher Myles Upchurch earned the early nod from Vaughn. Handed the Sunday role as a freshman, the Maryland native recorded a 3.75 ERA — the lowest mark among the Crimson Tide rotation — 78 strikeouts, and a .201 opponent batting average across 16 appearances, 15 of which were starts.

Upchurch's efforts in 2026 earned him a spot on several All-Freshman teams and the SEC All-Freshman squad.

The Crimson Tide featured one of the best starting rotations in the league, if not the country, a year ago. Trotting out Tyler Fay and Zane Adams, a pair of 2026 MLB draft picks, on Friday and Saturday before turning to Upchurch on Sunday every weekend in 2026.

"You look at our team last year: Fay, Adams, Upchurch toeing the rubber every Friday, Saturday, Sunday for sixteen weeks," said Vaughn. "That never happens."

Now, the Crimson Tide will turn to replacing the production of the outgoing Fay and Adams.

"You have four or five really good young arms, a couple of returning arms, a couple of transfer arms," Vaughn told Gary Harris on Tide 100.9.

Senior Matthew Heiberger, who competed for the Sunday role last season, could potentially work his way into the rotation throughout the fall and spring. However, Vaughn and pitching coach Jason Jackson may prefer to keep Heiberger in his long-relief role in the bullpen, where the southpaw has been extremely valuable throughout his time at The Capstone.

USF transfer Michael Senay, who earned a spot on the American Conference All-Freshman team in 2026, could potentially fill one of the two new spots in the rotation as well. Incoming freshman Hudson DeVaughn could also make a push.

With the Crimson Tide eyeing another run back to Omaha, stellar pitching from Upchurch at the front of the rotation will be key for Alabama,

The Crimson Tide will be back in action on October 17 for a fall exhibition game against Georgia Tech in Pensacola. 

For more Alabama Baseball, Basketball, and Football content from Simon Besnoy, follow him on Twitter at @SimonBesnoy and stay tuned to Tide1009.com for daily news.