The 15th ranked Alabama Crimson Tide had three players honored with All-SEC recognition on Monday. Red shirt junior Tyler Fay, senior Brady Neal, and freshman Myles Upchurch were the honorees. Fay was a 2nd team choice as a starting pitcher, Neal was also 2nd team as a DH/Utility player. Upchurch was on the All-Freshman squad.
Fay is the Tide’s game one starter and has had an outstanding season with a 9-3 record in 14 starts with a 4.43 ERA over 85.1 innings pitched while allowing 71 hits with 24 walks and 99 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting .225 against Fay on the season. In SEC play Fay is 6-2 with a 4.38 ERA 63.2 innings pitched with 73 strikeouts and 15 walks, starting all 10 first games of the Tides conference series’s. The highlight of Fay’s season was tossing a no hitter against Florida on March 20th. Last season 2025 first round pick Riley Quick was named to the 2nd team.
Neal has started games at catcher, right field, left field, and designated hitter this season. Neal is the Tide’s leading hitter with a .326 average and has amassed 14 doubles, seven home runs, 40 RBI, and 30 walks. Neal is hitting an even .300 in the SEC. Neal is the first Alabama player to make all conference at the DH/Utility spot since Wade Wass in 2014.
Upchurch has been Alabama’s game three starter all season, starting 14 games. the Maryland native has an 8-3 record with a 3.35 ERA in 64.2 innings, allowing 45 hits with 68 strikeouts and a batting average against of .189. Upchurch has produced a 5-2 conference record with a 3.68 ERA in 46 innings and 37 strikeouts, and was the only freshman in the conference to start all 10 SEC games.
Who else was worthy?
Senior centerfielder Bryce Fowler is hitting .320 on the season with 17 doubles, five home runs. 35 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. In SEC play Fowler is leading the team with a .355 average with 13 doubles.
Junior shortstop Justin LeBron is hitting .263 with 10 doubles, 14 home runs, 40 RBI, 52 runs scored, and 37 stolen bases. This is the first year of LeBron’s career he wasn’t honored.
Freshman outfielder/DH Eric Hines didn’t become a full time starter until late in the season and is carrying a .290 average with seven home runs overall, with four home runs coming in SEC play.
Coach Rob Vaughn did not win coach of the year, but had a strong case for consideration after leading the Tide to a 37-18 record with a 18-12 mark in the SEC, and a fourth place spot in the conference standings. Bama earned a double bye in the SEC Tournament by finishing in the top four. The 18 SEC wins are the most by an Alabama team since 2009 and after going 16-14 in conference action last year, Vaughn has led the Tide to back to back 16 conference win seasons for the first time since 2009-2010. Alabama was picked to finish 12th in the league prior to the season starting.
Congratulations to Fay, Neal, and Upchurch.
Roll Tide, Bama Baseball Fever, catch it! ⚾️🐘
