Rob Vaughn's message to Alabama baseball after clinching best seed in decades
· Yahoo Sports
For the first time since 2006, Alabama baseball has earned a top eight overall seed. Crimson Tide coach Rob Vaughn isn't taking it lightly.
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The Tuscaloosa Regional at Sewell-Thomas Stadium will be a first-time experience for Vaughn, who took the helm in 2023, but it'll be the eighth time hosting for the program.
This Crimson Tide team had an unlikely journey to the No. 7 overall seed of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Although Alabama put together two seven-game win streaks, it also dropped three straight SEC series before winning three straight to end the regular season.
Then, after a earning a No. 4 seed and double-bye in the SEC Tournament, the Crimson Tide was run-ruled 13-3 by Florida, who suffered a historic no-hitter at The Joe just months earlier.
If Alabama (37-19) can't survive double-elimination at home this weekend, the season will be over. Here was Vaughn's message to the team after it learned where it ranked among the 16 national seeds.
Rob Vaughn's message to Alabama baseball after securing No. 7 overall seed
"Number one, congratulations," Vaughn said in a video shared by the university's NIL collective.
"That's an awesome accomplishment, not only to host, but to to finish in the top eight is awesome," Vaughn continued. "So we're going to have to make sure we train right, make sure we're preparing right, so let's be mature in our work."
Vaughn added that he was "really proud" of the effort put in by players, coaching staff and the families who put "hours and hours" into the season.
Alabama begins its road to Omaha with a game against 4-seed Alabama State on Friday, May 29 at 6 p.m. CT.
"This is a pretty special thing. Pretty awesome," Vaughn said. "Proud of what this group has fought through, like the injuries, the adversity, the struggles − and that's why you're here where you're at today."
"Now, let's go win this thing. Let's go do it."
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Rob Vaughn had message for Alabama baseball after clinching best seed since 2006