USC Upstate's comeback attempt falls short against No. 7 Alabama, 7-5

Alabama seized momentum with a four-run fourth inning to defeat USC Upstate 7-5 in the Tuscaloosa Regional. The Spartans created several chances, leaving two runners on base in the first, fourth and ninth innings as they sought to invert the game. Chris Torres, who started two games for Upstate in the Big South Tournament, started again but was not at full strength, delivering two scoreless innings. Johnny Sweeney answered with a two-run homer to pull the Spartans within three late, but the comeback stalled. Trey Bentley followed with an RBI double in the ninth to tighten the gap to 7-5 and leave the potential winning run at the plate. Jake Armsey's line drive in the ninth fell about 10 feet short of a game-tying hit as it drifted into the deepest part of the park. Upstate advances to the losers bracket and will face Oklahoma State in an elimination game Sunday at 3 p.m.